David McKay Jamsa‚ 44‚ of Missoula‚ Montana‚ died August 20‚ 2009‚ when his air tanker crashed while dropping fire retardant on the Hoyt Fire near Reno‚ Nevada.

David was born December 15‚ 1964‚ in Grand Rapids‚ Minnesota‚ to Robert and Margaret Jamsa. He grew up on a farm in North Dakota that his great-grandfather had homesteaded‚ learning mechanical and farming skills from his father. David played basketball‚ football‚ and drums at Lakota High School.

After high school‚ he worked to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot‚ earning a degree in aviation mechanics and an FAA certificate in airplane mechanics. He was a military policeman for the Army National Guard and also worked as a machinist‚ welder‚ and crop duster. At the time of his death‚ he was studying to become a flight instructor.

David was a devoted family man. He married his wife‚ Alicia Marie Rininger‚ on August 15‚ 1998‚ in Detroit Lakes‚ Minnesota. They had four children‚ Shelbi‚ Kayla‚ Shane‚ and Karrissa Jamsa. David remained devoted to his parents and his brothers and sisters throughout his life.

David could fix and build anything‚ and he was always happy to put those skills to use in the service of others. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints‚ where he served as a branch and youth leader.

He is survived by his wife‚ Alicia Rininger Jamsa‚ of Missoula; his four children‚ Shelbi Lynn Jamsa‚ Kayla Marie Jamsa‚ Shane McKay Jamsa and Karrissa Pauline Jamsa; his parents‚ Robert Jamsa and Margaret Roberts Jamsa‚ of Lakota‚ North Dakota; two brothers‚ Darrell Wayne Jamsa‚ of Starkweather‚ North Dakota‚ and Ralph Paul Jamsa‚ of Salem‚ Utah; two sisters‚ Connie Jamsa Lefler‚ of Grand Rapids‚ Minnesota‚ and Pauline Mary Jamsa Clauson‚ of Salem‚ Utah. David was preceded in death by his brother‚ Robert Jamsa‚ and his sister‚ Colleen Patricia Jamsa Melven.