David Brian McNelis, 57
David Brian McNelis, 57, passed away Aug. 31, 2013, in Coeur d’Alene. Brian was born on Feb. 17, 1956, in Seattle. He grew up in Southern California, graduating from Rolling Hills High School in 1974 and receiving his bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1981.
He then passed the Certified Public Accountant Examination and worked for the firm Zdonek & Lieb until 1985. In 1984 he married Lynn (Bohrer) Abercrombie, with whom he had two children. After touring the country in a motor home Brian and Lynn moved to Coeur d’Alene, a place he loved dearly.
He met Curtis Clark and went to work as a staff accountant for the Pack River Company in 1985. Curtis and Brian left Pack River in January 1986 and formed the CPA firm. Brian became a partner in Clark, Anderson, McNelis & Co., PA in 1990.
To know him was to love him. He was kind, jovial, generous and beloved by many.
He loved the mountains, lakes and rivers of North Idaho and spent his days kayaking with his children and girlfriend, camping with his father and sister, hiking, dirt bike riding and shooting. He had an inimitable love of life and great passion for all endeavors he undertook. He was known for his sense of humor and notorious one-liners.
He packed an admirable amount of living into his 57 years and his memory will serve as an inspiration to live life with love and enthusiasm.
He is survived by his son, Bradley McNelis of Coeur d’Alene; and daughter Stephanie McNelis and future son-in-law Sean St. Marie. He is also survived by his father, David McNelis of Sagle; sister Kathy McNelis of Coeur d’Alene; girlfriend Sue Spafford of Coeur d’Alene; and former wife Lynn Abercrombie of Hayden. He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances McNelis.
A public celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Higgens Point in Coeur d’Alene. Hawaiian shirts are encouraged. Bring your fondest memories. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kootenai Humane Society. English Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Coeur d’Alene, is entrusted with the final arrangements.