David Anthony Rand

June 15, 1948 - December 31, 2020
David Anthony Rand

Memorial Gifts & Donations




David passed away after a hard-fought battle with esophageal cancer on December 31 at the age of 72. Born in Middletown, Ct, raised in Cromwell, Ct. by parents, Rose (Setaro)and George P. Rand Sr. He was predeceased by his parents and wife Margaret “Marty” (Pendergrass) Rand.
David is survived by his daughter Amanda “Mandi” Rollins, son-in-law Stewart Rollins, grandson Daniel Blackmon, granddaughter Hope Rollins, brothers Richard, George Jr. (Skip), Gary, mother-in-law Camille Pendergrass, brother-in-law Roland Pendergrass, seven nieces and nephews, his friend Michael Lucas, who he considered family, and a large loving, extended family, many with almost the same wicked sense of humor David possessed.

David attended Cromwell High School, participated in choir, band (Bass Drum) and track, his Javelin record there remains unchallenged.

David proudly served in the US Air Force from 1967 to 1975, as an Air frame mechanic, stationed in Libya, Thailand, Guam and California.

He attended Hartford State Tech, studying production management and quality control.

He met his soulmate, Marty, in one of the most unique ways. Both David and Marty had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and had both said similar prayers. David who had been married previously had stopped searching for love himself and told the Lord that he needed to make it plain if he had anyone in mind for David. Marty herself said a prayer asking God for strength if she was meant to remain single, but if he did intend for her to find someone, that she liked the name, David. It wasn’t long after that some mutual friends of theirs called Marty and asked her to write to a man named David Rand. Theirs was a match made in heaven. They were married on August 16, 1986.

David was a voracious reader of all subjects and was a walking/talking encyclopedia of knowledge, and had in fact read the entire 16 volumes of the Rand family home encyclopedia.

A master joke teller, he remembered every joke ever told to him, and could recite an appropriate or often inappropriate joke as dictated by the subject discussion he was having with friends and family. He had a rare gift to make anyone smile, with a funny face, joke or just doing the unexpected. This acute sense of humor and silliness was with him through his last days on earth as he was on a constant mission to make his family and friends laugh to deflect their thoughts from his illness.

David was a longtime member of the Pine Valley Church of Christ in Wilmington and had volunteered for many years in Prison Ministries. As stated by a fellow sister in Christ who helped him at the prison, he would often stand in front of the inmates claiming to be equal to them in guilt but simply not behind bars.

Plans for a celebration of life are yet to be determined.

Please consider assisting David’s family by donating to his memorial fund at www.tmcfunding.com

Rather than leave a comment, please leave a favorite joke, David would appreciate the humor in that.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Post a Condolence” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S.41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403. 910.791.9099.


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  • January 07, 2021
    Jane Hair says:
    So many warm, wonderful memories of David....so loved his smiles, infectious laugh, sense of humor, and loyalty to God, church, and family. He was loved by many and will be missed.

  • January 07, 2021
    Jane Hair says:
    So many warm and wonderful memories...he had a great smile,, infectious laugh, incredible sense of humor, and fierce loyalty to God, church, family, and fellow man. He will be missed by many!

  • January 08, 2021
    George Haché says:
    Condolences to the Rand family. I knew David as a great high school friend, fellow track star and classmate during my stay in Cromwell. He was best with his eager friendship, competitive skills, willingness to help whenever called upon. We shared in many boyhood sport events, pranks, school classes, track meets, and philosophical discussions; all fond memories that I cherish still. It was great to have visited with him at the 40th CHS class reunion. Rest well David, may we again sit a rooftop to contemplate wonders of the universe.

  • June 22, 2021
    Tom Buzzell says:
    David and I were one time close friends but always brothers in the lord starting when we first met at the Ward Street congregation in Wallingford, CT. We were separated from day to day association after his marriage to Marty but at my request he came to CT and stood as best man when I married in 2005. Dave was a man who could mix with and love all types of people and as his obituary implied he could be very funny both reverently and irreverently. I had tried to look him up over the years and was concerned about his well being after Marty passed away. I have now caught up with him and am saddened to know of his passing and regarding the nature of his illness I also hope that he did not suffer. I am confident that he is in the comfort of the lord as he waits to be raised for eternity to be with him. I wait for that too so that I may see my dear brother and sister Marty again. One funny play on words that he would frequently use was: "How was your Thanksgiving... TURKEY !!!"