Vallecito, CA…David Charles Anderson of Vallecito, California, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of November 3, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 67 years old.

Born in Salinas, California, on April 27, 1958, David was a 1976 graduate of Salinas High School and earned his degree in Business from Fresno State University in 1980, where he shared an apartment and many great adventures with his childhood and lifelong best friend Doug (Debbie) Otmar.

David carried forward a proud family legacy in construction, representing the fifth generation of Andersons to work in the trade. He began his career working alongside his father in the family’s construction business in Monterey County before the family relocated to Calaveras County, where David would spend the rest of his life. There, he helped establish Donniker Construction with his parents and younger brother, eventually serving as president and co-owner. Over nearly fifty years, David’s work spanned every corner of the industry — from operating equipment to inspecting major projects — and he was respected for his depth of knowledge and exacting standards. In his later years, he worked as a construction inspector for UNICO Engineering and lent his expertise to the California State License Board, where he helped refine testing systems for contractors across the state.

Beyond his professional work, David became deeply engaged in local and regional issues that touched on ethics, law, and the environment. He contributed to several investigative efforts and legal cases, at times serving as an expert witness or guest contributor. Always fascinated with the legal system and driven to speak out on matters that struck him personally and ethically, David strove to make sense of complex systems and to ensure that truth and accountability were never overlooked.

He had an insatiable curiosity and a big, restless mind. David was always diving into a new subject — researching, reading, or dissecting the latest article that had caught his attention. Whether it was history, science, current events, or some obscure legal nuance, he loved learning how things worked and why. His friends and family knew that a simple question could spark an hours-long conversation, often peppered with a few surprising facts he’d just read about the night before.

He had a heart every bit as big as his intellect. David cherished his family and loved spending time telling stories about yesteryear — from his boyhood adventures in Monterey County to his years in the foothills of Calaveras, where he made his home for more than three decades. He adored his nieces and nephews, and especially his grandnephews, with whom he shared a special bond. He often said he wished he’d become a Boy Scout leader, recalling his own Scouting days as some of his fondest memories.

Those close to David will remember him for his quick wit, his dry humor, and the way he could dive deep into conversation about nearly any topic. Whether discussing history, science, or politics, he always seemed to have read just one more book than you had.

In the kitchen, David was an artist in his own right. He had many of his mother’s and grandmother’s recipes memorized, never needing a cookbook or a measuring spoon to turn out the perfect dish. His cooking was a fixture at family gatherings — hearty, comforting, and always made with love.

David was also a loyal baseball fan, cheering for the San Francisco Giants through thick and thin. Those who knew him best can safely say he would have been sorely disappointed to learn that the Dodgers managed to win another World Series this year.

In his later years, David shared countless adventures with his beloved dog, Louie. The two were inseparable — exploring the foothills, visiting neighbors, and enjoying quiet companionship. Louie’s passing was one of the great heartbreaks of David’s life, and there’s comfort in imagining them reunited once again.

Despite facing serious health challenges in the past year, David met them with resilience and calm. He remained engaged with life, his community, and his family until the very end.

David will be laid to rest at Buena Vista Cemetery in Murphys, California — the foothill town he came to love and call home.

He is survived by his brothers John (Karen) Anderson of Broomfield, CO, and Matthew (Brenda) Anderson of Arnold, CA; his nephew Ryan (Rebecca) Anderson of Ooltewah, TN; his nieces Jessica (Sean) Markus of Murphys and Nicole (Jake) Steele of Arnold; and his grandnephews Isaiah and Logan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy and Linda Anderson of Arnold, and by his loyal dog, Louie.

David will be remembered for his intelligence, generosity, humor, and unwavering love of family — the kind of man whose stories, laughter, and recipes will continue to live on around every kitchen table where his memory is shared.

A private service will be held at a later date.