David Brian Messner, 61, of Columbia, died on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Born on November 3, 1963, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Charles A. Messner and late Darlene S. Messner.

A proud Army Veteran and Fire Fighter, raised Roman Catholic, David was an altar server and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.

David began as a Jr Firefighter in Pennsylvania with the Youngwood VFD. He also became an EMT and then a paramedic with Mutual Aid Ambulance. For them, he also served as an on-field medic for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Later he took a job at St Vincent's college working security including Steelers training camp.

Eventually, this led him to South Carolina where he graduated from the State Fire Academy. He rose to the rank of Battalion Chief and was also an instructor for the fire academy. An avid outdoorsman and athlete, he enjoyed everything from rock climbing, fishing and paintball to martial arts, scuba diving, soccer, and golf. In his retirement he took on a second career of repairing and fitting golf clubs with Dick's Sporting Goods. He was especially proud to have been Rory McIlroys's walking scorer for the PGA Championship event in 2012 at Kiawah. A true Type A personality, he participated in a ropes exhibition, rappelling down the dome of the Westmoreland County courthouse. He swam with sharks, and laid down a motorcycle at 100+mph to get his racing license. A born leader, David coached youth soccer and bowling. He enjoyed leading trail rides with his local Jeep club and helping with trail maintenance. He valued life experiences over material possessions

In his illness David was able to fulfill a number of his bucket list items. He was able to visit the Grand Canyon, attend a Manchester United soccer game, and travel to the Special Olympics USA Games where he witnessed his daughter win a Silver medal.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Suzanne L. Messner; 4 sons, Joshua D. Messner, Matthew S. Farich, Nicholas A. Farich, and Samuel J. Farich; one daughter, Merideth R. Farich; two grandchildren, Andrew D. Messner, and Emmaline R. Messner; beloved cousins, Betsy Sykes, Pamela Linhart Sonney, and Joyce Skolskie as well as two fur companions, Smokey and Magnum.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Walter and Anna Skolskie; paternal grandparents, Charles "Charlie" and Elisabeth "Lizzie" Messner; and cousins, Ronald and Larry Skolskie.

A visitation will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223, from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock for family and friends to gather. An interment service will be held in West Newton, PA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Special Olympics of South Carolina, 204 Palmetto Park Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072; or the American Kidney Foundation, 7020 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte, NC 28227; or the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 40726, Nashville, TN 37204, in memory of Mr. David Brian Messner.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.