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Nov. 26, 1940 – April 17, 2015

MOBILE, Ala. — Services for David F. Bacon III, of Mobile, Ala., formerly of Indianapolis, Ind., who died Friday, April 17, 2015, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mobile.

Visitation will be at noon until service time Thursday at the church.

Mr. Bacon was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Natchez, the first born of David French Bacon Jr. and Geneva Buckles Bacon.

David was multifaceted man with a zest for life, music, sports, traveling and a love of people, always ready to assist others. Growing up during the civil rights movement, he was committed to making a difference in the communities he lived in through education, mentoring fundraising and organization affiliations.

David’s education began in Natchez at St. Francis Catholic School and graduated high school from the historic Sadie V. Thompson High School.

He was baptized in 1956, at King Solomon Baptist in Natchez and later converted to Catholicism. When he relocated to Indianapolis, he joined Allen Chapel AME Church, serving faithfully as a trustee for a number of years. Prior to his illness, David established a membership with St. Mark’s Church No. 2, often driving on Sundays to attend service in the Kingston community in Natchez.

In 1959, David entered Southern University, A&M. While attending Southern University, he participated in the ROTC and was a member of the world famous Southern University marching band and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, of which, he is a lifetime member. David met his loving wife, Amelia, while attending Southern. He and Amelia married in 1965.

After graduating from Southern with a bachelor of science degree in marketing, with a minor in chemistry, he furthered his education through graduate studies at Atlanta University and Indiana University (Indianapolis.) In 1966, he moved to Chicago with his family and began his career with Consolidated Cigar Corporation (Dutch Master Cigar.) In 1968, David was recruited and hired by Eli Lilly where upon he moved his family to Indianapolis, Ind. He worked for Lilly for more than 25 years and retired as a logistics and transportation manager in the early 90s. After retiring, David relocated with his family to Mobile. He vowed to remain active and returned to work as a field marketing manager for News America Marketing.

Always civic minded, David participated in and held a number of leadership positions in community organizations. He found this important, having been raised during the civil rights struggle. During his college years, he served as Polemarch of the Southern University Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Alpha Sigma Chapter) and served as a past Exchequer of the Indianapolis chapter. Because he believed in making sure that young men prospered, he and some of the other community leaders founded the Indianapolis Chapter of 100 Black Men. One of his proudest accomplishments was the collaboration between the 100 Black Men and Jack and Jill of America of Indianapolis. He was a former Key Club member of the United Way of Indianapolis.

After his retirement and move to Alabama, his works did not stop, as he became a member of the NAACP of Mobile, volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama and their Alabama annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament, former coach of the Mobile Seagulls semi pro football team, certified Indiana high school referee, a member of the Mardi Gras Mystery Krewe of the Gulf Coast Lodge, Tommie Agee Foundation, Mobile.

David had a passion for seeing the world and that passion was realized as he traveled extensively in the states and intercontinental to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Africa, London, Japan and the Caribbean.

David’s passion for travel was only surpassed by his love and passion for his family and friends. David would give his all for his family and friends who will greatly miss his love, positive attitude and most especially his smile.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years; three children, Trinona Phenix of Monroe, La., Judge Kimberly J. Bacon and husband, Ten Gray, and David F. Bacon IV, Attorney, and wife, Amy Sue, all of Indianapolis; four siblings, Henry A. Bacon and Paul Lee Bacon and wife, Lee Edna, all of Natchez, Murray E. Bacon and wife, Pearl, of Pascagoula, and Dr. Barbara Epps and husband, Dr. Willie Epps, of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren, LaKiska White and husband, Derrick, Gabrielle Phenix, Keith Phenix, Theryn Amelia Marie Gray and David F. “Quincy” Bacon V; five sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; nieces, nephews and a number of relatives and close friends.

The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the gofundme.com/dfbIII. All proceeds will be donated to the ALS Research Clinic at IUPUI.