Life Member. Trumpet
7/11/1947 – 11/27/2021
David P. Searfoss, 74, of Santa Monica, CA, passed away peacefully at St. John’s Hospital on Saturday, November 27, 2021 with family by his side. The late Mr. Searfoss was a longtime Santa Monica resident and a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.
A private graveside service and burial will take place at Forest Lawn Mortuaries, Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, December 22 at 9:30 a.m. with the Reverend Patricia Farris officiating. Plans for a Celebration of Life for out-to-town family, friends and colleagues is being planned for a later date at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica where he and his family are longtime members.
David was born on July 11, 1947 in Bangor, PA to Williston and Romelda (Beegle) Searfoss. He was married to Janet (Loos) Searfoss on June 20, 1992 at the First Congregational Church of Mendon, IL. His wife survives him.
Other survivors include two sons, Preston and Brandon of Santa Monica; two sisters, Mary (Larrie) Dean of Midlothian, VA and Lissa Searfoss of Richmond, VA; his wife’s parents, Richard and Marilyn Loos of Mendon, IL; a brother-in-law, Steve (Roberta) Loos of Mendon, IL and a sister-in-law, Richlyn (Tim) Robertson of Quincy, IL; eight nieces and nephews, and 14 great nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents.
David grew up near Stevensville, MI. He earned his Bachelor of Music at Michigan State University and enlisted in the Armed Forces where he was stationed at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and played trumpet in the Army Band. He earned his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music during his time in service.
David held the position of Co-Principal Trumpet of the Honolulu Philharmonic from 1974 to 1976 before returning to the Los Angeles area to further pursue his performance career. He served as Associate Principal Trumpet with the Pasadena Symphony and Pops Orchestra since 1983. David was also a member of the St. Matthews Episcopal Church Chamber Orchestra and played regularly at his home church.
Through the years he worked for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera Company, and numerous Los Angeles and Westside churches. He has recorded with the Pasadena Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and played on over 100 motion picture and television soundtracks. Movie credits include “Airplane,” “Star Trek I,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Flash Dance,” “Who’s That Girl,” “The Thorn Birds,” “Addams Family Values,” “My Blue Heaven,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “The Fugitive” and “Toy Story II.”
David was a sports enthusiast and followed college and professional basketball, baseball and football. He also enjoyed playing tennis and golf during his formative years and more recently enjoyed playing softball with his church team and putting at the golf course with his sons. He attended local sports card conventions, and was an avid collector of sports cards and memorabilia, coins and stamps. He took great interest in the stock market, politics, and social justice. David enjoyed private teaching numerous SMMUSD and LAUSD students through the years and had the privilege of seeing several launch professional careers in music and performance. He loved his community, and especially his family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica or the Pasadena Symphony.
