David Goodson Gill

david gill
Gill, David Goodson Age 67 of McLean, Virginia passed away on April 5, 2021.

David was the devoted and loving husband of Claudia E. Tyner Offutt Gill. He was the beloved father of Emily F. Gill and Natalie Gill Smethers (Phil), both of Richmond, Virginia, as well as the grandaddy of Philip Smethers, IV. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Gill (Daysi) of McLean, Virginia, Thomas Gill (Jane) of Stafford, Virginia, and Stephen Gill (Catharine) of Oviedo, Florida, and his beloved sister Peggy Gill Cleer (Tom) of Vienna, Virginia. Additionally, he is survived by eight nieces and nephews, Claudia's four children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren, as well as many cherished friends.

David is preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Molly Gill.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1954 to Robert M. and Shirley W. Gill, David was a 1972 graduate of Washington Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia and 1976 graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. An exceptional athlete, David played basketball at both W-L and JMU. He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia.

An award winning watercolorist for over thirty years, David's work is displayed throughout the state of Virginia and beyond. Additionally, David taught art, as well as coached football, basketball, baseball, and track at Freedom High School in Woodbridge, Virginia for fourteen years until his retirement in early 2021. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from James Madison University recognizing his professional success and artistic accomplishments in 1990. His watercolors grace the homes of many individuals.

A memorial scholarship fund is being created in David's name and will be announced at a later date.

Those wishing to view David's memorial service may do so at noon on Monday, April 12, 2021 where it will be livestreamed on Facebook at the Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arlington, Virginia's page. Friends may view and sign David’s guestbook at www.moneyandking.com

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I have nothing but beautiful and positive things to say about Mr. Gill. His calling was to teach art and he truly made it such a memorable experience for any student and staff member that stepped foot into his classroom. Mr. Gill has a beautiful soul and my heart is truly saddened by this loss. I was a special education teacher assistant at Freedom High and my students could not wait until art knowing that Mr. Gill was going to be there with something amazing to teach them. He had a kind demeanor and was so amazing with all of the special education kids. I am honored to have known him and I know he has already received his wings in Heaven. My prayers go out to all of his family. God bless you all. Love Emily Kopa

  2. I will always remember Mr.Gill as an incredibly talented artist as well as a wonderful teacher and coach. He was always kind and encouraging to students. He will be missed.

  3. To the Gill Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Gill had steadfast dedication and empathy for all his students at Freedom High School. He was their mentor and “rock” and will truly be missed by all who had the privilege to know him. Rest in Peace our friend, David Gill. Life well served.

  4. My deepest condolences to you Claudia and your family. I was so sorry and saddened to hear of David’s passing and want you to know I am thinking of you during this difficult time. Fondly, Patty Russillo Glick

  5. We are so very sorry to learn of David’s death. He was such a wonderful artist, and we so enjoyed chatting with him over the years at many art shows. Numerous cherished original works of his hang in our home. He will be missed by so many, but remembered for his warmth and friendship. Barbara & Don Robertson

  6. David was a fine watercolorist, and exceptional artist.. He was generous in every way to other artists and friends and will be greatly missed at the few art shows we shared for so many years.. Arts in the Park and 43rd Street will not be the same.. Gene and I send our deepest sympathy to David’s family.. Eleanor Cox

  7. Gilly, as he was known to many life long friends and school chums, was one loved man. We all had them, Gill EEEs we call them. Such a causal name for such exquisite art. We had 1,2,3 or more. They were lovingly exchanged, gifted and bequeathed! Dave Gill (Gilly), with such a zeal for life and a voracious appetite and capacity for love and laughter…you will be missed by so many. Terri Norris

  8. My deepest sympathy to your family. We were good friends of Shirley and Bob, and I have one of David’s paintings. He was a man of many talents. –Barbara Miller

  9. David was an extraordinary artist and super nice guy. So many of us will remember him every day as we treasure how his paintings bring our homes alive with such beauty. I will miss talking with him at art shows and seeing his latest work. — Glenn Graham, Henrico, VA

  10. I first met David at Arts in the Park in Richmond where I was a vendor with my sister. He was friendly, personable, and and extremely talented watercolorist. I loved his paintings and would have loved to purchase one, but was never able to manage to work it into my budget. Not doubt his work brought much joy to all who enjoyed having it hanging in their homes. RIP, David. Sending condolences to all who loved him.

  11. My heart broke a little bit when I read of David’s passing this morning. I met him through Steve at Madison, but David and I grew a friendship that lasted for years. I often attended Arts In The Park only to visit with him for an hour. His heart was generous, perhaps to a fault. His willingness to self disclose was the sign of a caring man. His soul reached out to all, and he always seemed to be involved in a project to help others. I taught with David for a short time, and his skill in communicating with adolescents was magic. When he flashed that smile and shared those laughing eyes, every student knew he was sincere. My condolences go out to his loving family. I trust memories of his sense of humor and love of humanity will comfort you in these challenging times.

  12. My heart is still broken ?? with this huge loss of a dear friend & brilliant artist. It was so awesome to see Dave again occasionally after our years @ Madison (both of us in the art field) .. we would sit & talk about murals & he showed me his latest projects @school. His God-given skills showed astonishing impressive talent that I will never forget, but it was his kind heart & sweet genuine demeanor made him so loved by so many. I treasured his friendship and extend my deepest sympathies to his family & many heart-broken friends.. he will be so missed by us all. RiPP sweet Dave ??♥️???✝️ Mary (Butters) Hukill Annandale, Va

    • I will miss you Gillio!! I will always cherish our friendship and all your beautiful art I have in my home. Love you my brother!!

  13. I went to school with David at W-L and Madison and followed his career for many years. I am blessed to have a few originals from his early years and several prints from later years. He was enduringly kind and gracious to me and my mother whenever we crossed paths. My most sincere condolences to his family. Linda Crouch

  14. Dave was a fantastic man and had a gift that touched many students. It was my honor to work with him at Freedom High School in Woodbridge. His artistic talent was uncanny and he always had a uplifting spirit. Rest In Heaven Dave, Stan Jones

  15. My deepest condolence to the family of David Gill. I am so sorry for your loss. I served as bookkeeper under Tom Gill at Forest Park HS. When Tom left FPHS he graciously gifted me David’s windmill painting that I always admired and hung in his office. The painting hangs in my home and is enjoyed every day. When I retired and ropped as bookkeeper at Freedom HS, I had the pleasure to finally meet David and tell him what a wonderful artist he was and that I was proud to display his painting in my home. May he Rest In Peace. Debbie Dean

  16. David painted a watercolor painting for us at the Virginia Beach Ocean Front Art Show many years ago. we look at it everyday in our living room . We met Dave thru our mutual friend Frank Orndorff. He was always a good friend. Our prayers are with his family. Sincerely, Debbie and Mike Martin

  17. We were a young family around 1985 or ’86 when we took our children to Penn State for thr Festival of the Arts. We met David there, and I fell in love with one of his watercolors. We couldn’t afford the original, so we bought the print. It has hung in our house ever since. He thanked us and said he was then able to buy dinner that evening. We just had it remitted to go with our new decor, so I looked him up. I am so sad, that I didn’t get a chance to tell him how much I still love that print.


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide