Honoring the Life and Legacy of
David Leon Sheets
Obituary
David Sheets, 65, passed away due to COVID-19 on January 30, 2021 at his home in Denton, Texas. Born in 1955 to Jim and Aletha Sheets, David grew up in a family of musical ministers.
Those who knew him witnessed a life fully and fervently committed to Jesus: a true rarity.
David attended United Wesleyan College 1973-1975, transferred to Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana where he graduated in 1979 after paying his late library fees. In 1975, he married his high school sweetheart, Beatrice Thomas. Their joint ministry for the next 45 years would change thousands of lives.
David served on staff at eleven churches across the US Midwest & East Coast, leading each community into a new understanding of authentic worship to Jesus through the gift of music. He selflessly served underprivileged communities through mission trips around the world – including Mexico, Peru, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. He personally led dozens of people to salvation through Christ Jesus. His work as a family pastor improved and revived hundreds of marriages. He persuaded countless believers to obey God’s call to give their own lives to the ministry of the gospel.
David’s life of ministerial work drew applause. But anyone who knew him knows that he considered his countless achievements and accolades as nothing. Nada. “Zilch,” he would say. His only purpose (and joy) was to point others toward life change through the cross of Christ and its power to redeem.
To say humor & joy marked David’s life would be an extreme understatement. He saw every moment of every day as an opportunity to ambush, gag, prank, trick, or fool someone into belly laughing along with him. Everyone who knew David has multiple anecdotes about David bringing levity into any situation.
David is survived by his wife, Bea. His children, Brock and Bethany, their spouses, Esther and Joel (respectively), and his six grandchildren also survive David to honor the heritage he created. Surviving also are David’s parents, Jim and Aletha Sheets, and his siblings Paul (Sally) Sheets and Judy (Ken) Davis.
David’s departure did not douse the legacy he brought to life. His family invites you to join a virtual memorial service featuring a worship choir full of voices of the many diverse lives David touched.
The Virtual Celebration of Life for
David Leon Sheets
Recorded Feb 26, 2021
The Virtual Celebration of Life for
David Leon Sheets
Recorded Feb 26, 2021
Goodness of God - David Sheets Memorial Choir
This song embodies the way David Sheets lived his life. In every situation, no matter the difficulty, he would proclaim God’s goodness.
David Sheets lived a life devoted to Jesus. He spent the majority of his career as a music minister & choir director in churches around the US. The Sheets family put out a call for anyone who had served with David to join a virtual choir in his honor. What you see here is just a small picture of his legacy impact on the Kingdom of God. We pray this song blesses you and encourages you today.
Slide show
Photo Gallery
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to: Emanuel House
Emanuel House is a school & after-school program located in Quisqueya, Dominican Republic. Founder, Mirqueya Guzman started the school with her own money to target the neediest children in her community. Now the school weekly ministers to over 150 children. Many of these children are not allowed to attend public school due to missing birth certificates. With help from others, she is able to offer a hot meal, educational instruction, and love.
David loved and celebrated the heart that Mirqueya had for her neighbors. Partnering with the McLean Bible Church music ministry, David led several evangelistic teams and joined with Emanuel House sharing music, food resources, material goods, and the love of Christ to the community. David would be honored to know Emanuel House is thriving because of your generosity.
Oh my, Brock, I have no words. I am in shock. With profound sorrow I grieve with you and Bea… I am eternally grateful for the privilege and pleasure I had to serve others under David’s direction and will always treasure his friendship. I mourn with you all and most anxiously await the day of our reunion in heaven…?
We are so sad to hear of the passing of Dave. My mind goes back to Jeff, Sharon and I writing a crazy letter to our new youth pastor who was coming and he writes us a crazy letter back. We couldn’t wait to meet you both! Dave had such a big impact on my life. Especially at a time when we as older youth wondered where we fit in. His love for God, service and people always shined through. Through both of you too! Thanks for sharing Dave with us especially when you were just starting your family. You are more than youth leaders and choir director. You are our family and we grieve with you. The opportunity of serving with Living Hope is something I will never forget. Also so much fun and pure joy as we learned more about Christ and how to serve him. Sword drills and mini candy bars soaring through the air. Do you remember this? Looking forward to seeing him again someday. Until then our love and prayers are with you. We are heartbroken
I have another memory to share that hopefully will make you laugh. One day after a snowstorm that left a lot of snow and then a layer of ice a few of us gathered with Dave on the side yard of Calvary Wesleyan Church. Our goal (per Dave’s great love of fun) was to drag ourselves across the snow lying down using only our arms. The person who made it the farthest without breaking the top of the snow would be the winner. I don’t remember who won but I do remember a lot of laughing. Dave was a man full of love for the Lord and life and it was contagious ?
So sorry to hear about David’s passing from this life and into the very presence of His Lord and Savior. David’s passion to live a life of joy and worship was inspirational. Praying for your family as you grieve this loss.
I keep beginning a post about my friend David and then deleting it because, really, there are no words to express the depth of sorrow in knowing he is gone from this earth. Even though David only served for one year as Minister of Music at Warsaw Wesleyan Church, he left a wonderful legacy of excellence in music that we were able to build on over the next decade. Over the years, it was always exciting to receive an email from him with an opportunity to write a script for a youth musical, or an article, or funny song lyrics for his parents’ anniversary. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor and friend who reached out in the love of Christ to my family and was always available to pray no matter what part of the country he was living in! There is a mantle left for us to pick up, It is to nurture and encourage our brothers and sisters in the use of their spiritual gifts, and to live our lives in glorious joy. That’s what David did.
We love you all Brock, Bethany and Bea. Our hearts are sad with you all. Your dad was an amazing godly man. He was always fun to be with and always full of Jesus Joy! Many prayers and hugs to you all. Lynn and Cheryl Bruce – Central Wesleyan Church Holland, MI
I was privileged to sing in the choir at College Wesleyan Church in the early 1990s when David was directing. We had wonderful times of prayer as well as singing. He will be greatly missed, but I’m thrilled for him to have finished his race and be at rest with our Lord.
David was one of the sweetest and happiest men that I had the privilege to know and work with. He is remembered fondly by our family and will be missed greatly by all of us who he is patiently waiting for in heaven. Our love and prayers for all of the Sheets family and may God bless you and keep you in his comfort and peace until you see David again.
We are so sorry. We grieve for your loss. At the same time we also give thanks for David’s life, his heart for the Lord, his love for his family, and the assurance of eternal life. We have many wonderful memories of David’s leadership at Wheaton Wesleyan. He was an exceptional choir director. I still marvel at how he was able to get us to memorize the anthems and sing them without sheet music, and those fantastic Christmas productions that packed the sanctuary multiple times! He worked the same “magic” with the kids – their performances were wonderful. And he knew how to bring out and enhance a person’s musical talent. I grew immensely as a musician under his direction. What a legacy David has left!
I am so sorry to hear about your dad! I have such great memories of him when I was little. Always a huge smile & making life fun. I’m praying for your family. He will be greatly missed.
David Sheets, the choir director of an ensemble that, once upon a time, I sang in, died last night, and just went to meet his Heavenly Father. And to sing Hallelujah nonstop to Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy. He’s definitely gonna go old school…
I found out on the day when the pastor at The Father’s House – nearly 3,000 miles away from my last real church home – encouraged me to serve in the church. In whatever capacity. I felt a similar tug when the then pastor at McLean Bible Church called us to serve. Lon Solomon Ministries’ call then led me to the choir.
My vocal skills are questionable, at best, in a mega church worship setting (anywhere, really). But I’ll always be appreciative that David found a way to encourage everyone…even those of us in the back row, where I (claiming to be the tall guy) felt relatively comfortable in front of the tens of thousands that came to Christ there.
And it’s a reminder of two things: 1) that we all meet our maker eventually. And 2) it remains a mystery for all of us when that moment will come.
I know where I’m going when I do. Do you?
Oh, and even though it’s ~an hour from the house, I know there’s some way for me to serve at TFH, so I pray God will show me what that is.
As He listens to David’s mad pipes.
God speed, my friend. And thanks for the numerous prayers you uttered on my behalf over the years.
Thank you sir for your joyous leadership, your infectious laugh and for always urging us to “ sing unto The Lord” I miss our days with the choir at McLean Bible Church so much. You had a big impact on my life and we miss you dearly. ????????
David made such an impact on me, and everyone he was around with the fruit of the spirit. His attitude towards others and cheerful spirit gave us a small glimpse of heaven. I can only imagine the way he is worshiping and joyful now in the presence of God.
David was very kind to our church planters at New City Network and Send Washington D.C. He was one of the longest standing members of our assessment team and did all he could to support our planters, particularly in their marital health. We are thankful fir his life and sad to hear of the loss of such a good brother.
Some people are anointed in a way that makes them touch everyone around them. Last night earth lost and heaven gained such a person.
He was my first influence in church music and first teacher of the concept of excellence for Jesus. He gave me my first solo in church and pulled my parents into a music program at Wheaton Wesleyan that was truly special. He got in plenty of trouble with my dad, while making beautiful music and forming a strong friendship.
I played at their house with their daughter Bethany after church, went to the zoo, sang in choirs together, and just shared life.
His son, Brock asked me to accompany his voice lessons in college, which started my working relationship with Todd Guy and the Indiana Wesleyan University Chorale.
Stories from their fun, adventurous, compassionate and worship filled family still find their way into our conversations.
The heavenly choirs better get ready. He’s gonna keep you busy.
Til we meet again, David Sheets.
A person’s life is measured by the people they influence. When I was in my 20’s (in the late 80s), I didn’t have a lot of knowledge and experience, but I did have potential. A man named David Sheets saw that in me and took a risk by giving me my first opportunity to be what we now call a “worship leader” in our church in Wheaton, Illinois. He gave me honest feedback and challenged me. Most people would characterize my leadership style as a “developer”, one who sees potential in people and gives opportunities to those who may not get a chance to participate elsewhere. I would not be that kind of leader if it had not been for David, who was willing to work with what I had to offer and helped me to grow as a musician and a leader. I have fond memories of the band we had and the other musicians who participated. One day we will make a “joyful sound” again together!
David, my friend, well done, good and faithful servant. Thanks for being a faithful co-laborer, a mentor, a friend. You will be missed.
Thank you, David Sheets you lived selflessly serving & mentoring through unconditionally accepting & embracing every life your amazingly beautiful soul encountered. My husband’s & my life are richer & enhanced greatly because you genuinely & humbly honored GOD with all your “being & doing”.
It’s true, wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of treasured memories, so “Father GOD thank you for being all Bea & kids now need…we trust You to give through memories & Your tangible presence all the peace, comfort & strength needed every day ahead, in Jesus Name, amen.
I met David in the summer before my senior year of college. He was part of a small group who were living in Oakwood Hall at Bethel University that summer. I just remember we were all very creative in fixing meals in the dorm but had lots of fun and laughs. Once David and I were heading out to pick up food and there hanging on the mirror of his car were some little black and gold bees!! It was for his Bea, of course! They got married the next summer but I had to miss it because I was on a month long tour with the drama group. It was a fun year for everyone, especially in choir, who knew David and his constant humor and love of life. Fast forward several decades. I get this letter from him that is all typed backwards!!( which was one of my ‘giftings’) I don’t even remember what it was all about but later that spring when he was in San Diego, Rodney and I had dinner with him. He was the Creative Arts Director at a large church and was looking for a Drama Director with my gifts. Well, that started a God-directed faith embrace journey for our family where we ended up leaving our home in San Diego and moved to Peoria Il. ( Go figure!) I often see that as an added verse at the end of Hebrews chapter 11 because it was definetly a faith journey move. Although David and Bea left Peoria to move back east with family, I was thankful for the times we had as part of the Creative Arts Team for that season of our lives. And I think of them whenever I drive by Graceland Drive. As I read other posts from family and friends and colleagues, we are all reminded of the impact he had on so many lives, in addition to the crazy fun times with his infectious joy and love for his family, music and his Lord.
RIP: Your love for God and the joy that others felt were infectious. Praying for the Sheets family.?
I met David & Bea through our Tres Dias community, serving on different weekends. I was invited to join ‘The Keith & Krysten Getty Choir’. This is where I was able to get to know David in his truest form. He co-lead our choir, as we practiced for our Kennedy Center & Carnegie Hall Christmas concerts to sing with The Getty’s. The choir culminated into a spring ‘Outreach Choir’, where we would share the gospel in song at several venues within the metro DC area. My daddy always remarked that ‘in every man there is a little boy’. There could be no truer words for David. That little boy would show up at every practice or gathering, which he was a part. David was ‘a man after God’s own heart’. He was a faith-filled servant and now has ‘entered the JOY of the Lord’. Big hugs to Bea, Brock, Bethany (families) and special prayers for David’s mom & dad. ❤