David was born on August 15, 1938, on Cane Creek in Lewis County, Tennessee, to Annie Mary Betty Bastin Talley. He was raised on the Bastin family farm alongside his grandparents, his mother, and his brother, Glenn Talley. He was a proud member of the Lewis County High School Class of 1956 and later attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, returning home when homesickness drew him back to the family farm.

After a brief period of employment with the United States Post Office, David began a lifelong career as a surveyor and designer with the engineering firm of Barge, Waggoner, Sumner, and Cannon in Nashville. He dedicated 43 years to the company, retiring in 2004. During his career he played an instrumental role in the design, installation, and inspection of water and sewer systems all over the middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky area and with the Harpeth Valley Utilities District in Bellevue, Tennessee. In 1961, David was drafted into the United States Army during the Berlin Crisis and served at Fort Hood, Texas.

In September 1962, David married Jane Aydelott of Centerville. They shared 63 years of marriage and were blessed with four children: Lisa, Jenny, Carol, and Andy.

David faithfully served as a deacon at the Centerville Church of Christ and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club. He had a longtime passion for growing chrysanthemums and was deeply involved in the Hickman County Chrysanthemum Club. He devoted countless hours to Camp Meribah, where he assisted with mapping and installing water and sewer lines, contributed to numerous improvement projects, and authored an extensive history of the camp.

In his spare time, David tended multiple vegetable gardens, kept honeybees, and meticulously maintained not only his own yard but also several family cemeteries. Work was not merely something he did—it was his hobby and his calling. Through his tireless example, he instilled a strong work ethic in his children.

In addition to his beloved wife, Jane, David is survived by his children: Lisa (Terry) Barber, Jenny (Chris) Teet, Carol Talley, and Andy (Kristi) Talley. He was a devoted and cherished grandfather to Nick (Ali Jimerson) Batts, Travis (Jennifer) Barber, Lucas (Kayla) Barber, Grady (Annie) Teet, Grayson Talley, and Anna Grace Talley. He was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Emma, Gunner, and Hartley Batts; Bentley and Brady Barber; Harper Rowe; and Hayston and Hutton Barber.

David will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering faith, and tireless dedication to his family and community. His life was marked by service, humility, and an extraordinary work ethic that touched everyone who knew him. The legacy he leaves lives on through his family, the many projects he helped build, and the countless lives he influenced by his example. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Camp Meribah Scholarship Fund, c/o Centerville Church of Christ, 138 N Central Avenue, Centerville, TN 37033.