David Dudley "Fee Fee" McPhee

David Dudley “Fee Fee” McPhee passed away suddenly on May 5, 2021 at his home in Losantville, Indiana at the age of 55. He was born on March 10, 1966 in Bloomington, Indiana. Dave grew up in Royerton and excelled in academics and baseball. He was an outstanding shortstop and played for the all-star team each year. Dave once held the world record for highest score on the video game Frogger, and for that was the envy of the neighborhood. He graduated a member of the National Honor Society from Delta High School in 1984, earning several scholarships for his athletic and academic achievements.

As an adult, Dave worked as a carpenter and helped build homes in New Mexico and Indiana. Dave was a part of the crew that built Muncie City Hall. Dave took great pride in the quality of his craftsmanship and was known to remind people to “measure twice, cut once”. Dave married Cinnamon McPhee in 1994 and together they created two beautiful daughters. Though he rarely shared it, Dave wrote beautiful, thoughtful poetry and we feel so blessed to have a written reminder of his inner thoughts and observations. David loved classic rock and his daughters, having been lulled to sleep nightly by More Than a Feeling and Freebird, have a deep appreciation for all the classic rock bands. He especially loved Boston, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp (not Cougar), Lynyrd Skynyrd, Journey and the Rolling Stones.

Dave loved to travel and camp, and especially loved the Grand Tetons and visited the Grand Canyon, Sequoia National Park, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Crater Lake and many other national parks. If there is such a thing as a spirit animal, his was the eagle. We hope that he is soaring over the Tetons as he watches over us.

Dave truly was a man of God, and it was important to him to share God’s love with everyone he met. Dave loved the Lord with his entire heart and soul. He took Joy in the Lord and looked forward to meeting him. Dave survived heart attacks, strokes and beat cancer twice, without complaint, never wanting others to worry about him and never once fearing death. We know that he is in heaven and thrilled to finally be with his Lord. Dave joined South Memorial Drive Church of God in New Castle nearly 25 years ago. He was baptized there and devoted his life to the service of the Lord. Dave also managed their food bank for over 20 years and has helped feed countless numbers of people, including delivering food to those unable to leave their home. Dave taught Sunday school and traveled to Atlanta with Church on the Street to minister to the homeless. He truly had love in his heart for everyone he met. Dave had the uncanny ability to make a person feel loved, heard and valued. There are so many people left behind who feel like they just lost their best friend. Simply put, Dave was the epitome of a good man who lived his life exactly the way he thought the Lord would want him to.

Dave was so deeply loved and will be missed dearly by his family, including his church family, who meant so much to him. Dave was preceded in death by his father, Peter McPhee and stepfathers, Rodney Hoffman and Mark Payne. He is now reunited with his beloved grandmother, Knoxie Crabtree-Weber, grandfather, Otto Weber and beloved Granddaughter Ava Burdsall. He is survived by his mother, Joan Crabtree-Payne, daughters, Taylor Burdsall (David) and Delaney McPhee, brother Robert Hoffman (Kristin), sisters, Rebecca Medina (Robert) and Jody Vialpando (Isaiah). Dave was most proud to be the Papaw of Brent, Emma, Olivia, Delilah and newest grandson, David. He will be missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on May 13, 2021 at 12:00 pm at South Memorial Drive Church of God, 3800 S Memorial Dr., New Castle, IN 47362. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Dave’s church, South Memorial Drive Church of God.

Soar high, son, brother, father, papaw and friend.