David Perry Bevis, Jr.

David Perry Bevis, Jr., age 74, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed from this life Sunday, December 18, 2022. He was born April 27, 1948, in Wilmington, Del., the son of the late David Perry Bevis, Sr, and Charlotte Hopkins Bevis. He spent his childhood in nearby New Castle, where his friendly and positive personality made him well-loved, and initiated a long list of lifelong friends. Fred Kern was among Dave's first, perhaps his longest, constant friend. Dave later graduated from William Penn High School, and Brandywine College. Among his fondest memories were playing baseball with the Hopkins Trucking team, alongside teammates Dean Mitchell and Larry Williams; and of the years he served his community as a volunteer firefighter with Wilmington Manor Fire Department, mentored by his father, the Fire Chief. These experiences would establish his lifelong love of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Eagles, and firefighting. Dave's son Tom today carries on the Bevis family tradition, as a Fayetteville firefighter. Relocating to Arkansas, Dave enjoyed a successful career with Channel 5 Television, and in 1979 married educator and author Teresa Lynn Brawner, who would serve as Program Director for international students at the University of Arkansas, then as Adjunct Professor of Art for Crowder College. In 1985 Dave opened Bevis Advertising, where he put his exceptional writing and production talents to use, in marketing campaigns that were viewed throughout Arkansas. In the 1990s Dave began his career in real estate, joining Bassett Mix Realty, where he served as a professional in that capacity for the next 30 years. Dave's eldest son David was always a great source of pride as he pursued athletics as a professional basketball player in Iceland, followed by a successful career as a Law Enforcement Officer. Dave's youngest, Betsy, carries on his tradition of community service and volunteerism. After completing her Masters degree from Baylor University, she now works in community organizing in Maine. In his non-professional life, Dave was an avid photographer. His preferred subjects were landscapes, sunrises and sunsets in particular, and many of his photographs were recently used to illustrate a beautiful calendar. His skillfully written poems, created throughout his life, centered on his family, and are treasures. Survivors are his wife Teresa Brawner Bevis; his children, David P. Bevis V, (Erica), Thomas Emmett Bevis (Ashley Mauldin), Rose Elizabeth Bevis, (Evan Smith); a sister, Pam Bevis Wolf; his grandchildren, Brooke Bevis and Brandon Hale. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, December 23, at Nelson Berna Funeral Home in Fayetteville. Visitation is from 1 p.m., until service time Friday, at Nelson Berna. A Friday reception will be held immediately after the funeral service at Dave and Teresa's home, 323 Riverlyn Dr, Fayetteville. Committal service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, at Fayetteville National Cemetery. A reception follows the committal service at the home of Mary Bassett & Hank Broyles, 4647 Clear Creek Blvd., Fayetteville. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com