David Aubrey Tapley
October 16, 1953 - March 12, 2018
David Aubrey Tapley was born on October 16, 1953 in
Bakersfield, California to Clyde and Anna Mae Tapley. David was the
oldest of Clyde and Anna’s 6 children. He went to his final home on
March 12th after a long illness.
As a child, the family moved frequently but always
considered Bakersfield to be their home base. David graduated from
Ontario High School in 1972. His 1st job, while he was still in
high school, was for Southwest Concrete Products in Ontario. It was
here that he learned to drive a cement truck, making runs back and forth to
Mission Ready Mix. He soon moved up to driving a big rig and
delivering precast products to various construction sites around Southern
California. In 1974, he worked briefly for M Company in Chino,
building and delivering mobile home frames. In May 1974, he married
Nelly Patricia Verburg. Later that year, he started working for
California Freight Lines and began transporting flatbed goods all over
California. Late in 1977 he purchased his 1st big rig and
became Owner-Operator of Tapley Trucking. Over the next 25 years he
continued driving for several different companies hauling lumber, steel, home
improvement products and refrigerated goods all over California and also into Utah,
Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho and Oregon.
David retired due to health reasons in 2004. But
retirement didn’t stop him from driving. Vacations meant driving
wherever the road led. On his own, he frequently would just want to
‘Go for a drive’. They are few places in Southern California that he didn’t
visit during those drives.
David is survived by his wife, Nelly. Also his mother, Anna;
brothers, Gary and Michael (Kathy); sisters, Patricia and Debora; 5 nieces and
nephews and 6 great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father,
Clyde; sister, Lora; brother-in-law, Patrick; and nephew, Joshua.
Arrangements are being made by Inland
Memorial. No services are planned at this time.
