David H. Fix, 84 of Devils Lake, ND passed away Thursday, September 24, 2026 at his home. Dave is in the care of the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake

David Harry Fix was born in July 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of Henry and Ruth Thompson Fix. After graduating from Shaler High School in Glenshaw, PA, Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He attended Dental Technician School and was assigned to the U.S. Naval Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland, where he served under dentists who treated the President and other government officials.

While stationed in Washington D.C., he met Patricia Johnson Fix. They married in June 1962 in Fairdale, ND. Dave quickly embraced North Dakota's rural life and Patricia’s family, finding it far more appealing than his industrial upbringing in Pennsylvania. He greatly admired the strong work ethic within the farming community. Dave and Patricia's marriage spanned over 64 years.

After completing his naval enlistment, Dave and Patricia moved to Western Pennsylvania to continue raising their family. They were deeply involved in their local churches, while Dave often worked up to three jobs, including being an owner-operator of a truck. He was proud of his contributions to major road construction projects in Pennsylvania during the 1960s.

An adventurous spirit led Dave and Patricia to Rolla, Missouri, when a friend from church asked them to manage a quarter horse ranch. For two years, Dave immersed himself in horses, becoming a farrier. He supplemented their income by caring for animals in the countryside that no one else would touch, while Patricia also worked. He developed a deep love for horses and their behavior.

With a yearning for the quiet life, Dave and Patricia made the decision to move to Fairdale, ND, in the early 1970s, settling on a small farm near the town. Dave cherished waking up to the quiet and constant light breeze. A true "jack of all trades," he worked in various roles, from farming and being a technician at the Nekoma Missile Site to serving as a police officer and Director of Sanitation for Devils Lake.

He never stopped learning, eventually becoming a pastor for the Evangelical Free Church and collaborating with area churches. Visiting churches and communities brought him great joy in his later years. Dave lead mission trips to Venezuela and was a supporter of the Teen Challenge program.

Dave was preceded in death by his brother Daniel Fix and daughter Aimee Peterson.

Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia. He also leaves behind his daughter, Melissa Johnson, and her husband, Winston; and his son, Greg Fix, and his wife, Jill. Dave was a proud grandfather to Dylan Johnson, Devon Johnson (and his wife Katie), Oriana Peterson, Ethan Peterson (and his wife McKenna), Austin Fix, and Ruth Fix. He was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Liam Johnson, Lavin Johnson, Colbie Johnson, Clayton Johnson, Kinsley Peterson, Declan Peterson, and Sutton Peterson, Madilynn Johnsaon and Dylan Johnson Jr.