David Lee Pledger, Sr., of East Meredith and formerly of the Bronx, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2013. He was 79 years of age.

David was born January 29, 1934 in the small town of Camden, Alabama. He was raised with simple, country values in Alabama as the son of farmers Clarence Earl Pledger, Sr. and Fannie Ross Pledger. He was one of six children. He was predeceased by all his siblings; Clarence Jr., Willie Lee, Winston, Mary, and Ross Pledger. As a young man, he left Camden to head north to the Bronx, where he met the love of his life, Rebecca Brown, who was originally from Columbia, SC. David and Rebecca would laugh as they told the story of how Rebecca was unsure she wanted a man who was so 'country', but his persistence won her over. They married and started their lives together in the Bronx, where they raised three children, and over the years helped raise many grandchildren.

David was a truck driver and was an active member of the Ancient and Accepted Order of the Freemasons. He rose to the degree of Knights Templar. Then he partnered to run a Gulf service and gasoline station and then became full owner of the station for many years. A highlight of his career was being one of a select few in the nation to win an award for Top Business Owner from Gulf, the prize for which was a brand new, cherry red 1972 Ford LTD convertible, still in the family today.

While their children were still young, David bought his family a country home in East Meredith where the family spent many weekends and summers until David and Rebecca retired and moved there permanently. Rebecca predeceased David in November 1995.

David loved being outdoors; he tended to many small farm animals over the years, farmed the land, and hunted. He very much enjoyed dining on the catch of the day his son would bring from fishing in the area. Being a mechanic by trade, David helped many family members over the years with their car repairs, and could often be found tinkering with vehicles large and small. He enjoyed family gatherings; his idea of happiness was having his large family gathered around him.

David is survived by his daughter, Sabrina and son-in-law, Kevin Van Ness; his daughter, Sheila Thomas; and his son, David Lee Pledger, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Barbara; as well as his loving grandchildren, Muhammad and Nikeima Williams, Alex, Tyrell and Isaiah Rogers, Saranda Rogers Ildefonso, David Lee Pledger III, Corey Patillo, Sherainna and Denzel Thomas and Lilyanna and Tanya Pledger. He also adored his 17 great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 2013 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Martha Grate, his niece and the Rev. Britt Pledger, his great-nephew, co-officiating.

Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta.

Donations may be sent to Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.