The collision repair industry is mourning the loss of Dave McBroom, president of the Florida Autobody Collision Alliance (FACA) and friend, brother and mentor to countless people whose lives he touched.
William David “Dave” McBroom passed away peacefully on October 11, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla., at the age of 67. A native of Cookeville, Tenn., and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Dave served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and was a decorated helicopter pilot in Vietnam before retiring as a Colonel.
Dave was also president of Sunbeam Autobody in Jacksonville and was committed to raising the professional image of the collision repair industry. Through his leadership and passion, FACA was formed and grew from three body shop owners having coffee once a month to more than 400 members in six chapters throughout the state.
“FACA’s members and board of directors grieve Dave’s untimely death and extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Terri, and his entire family,” said Cathy Mills, FACA’s executive director. “Dave was an absolute role model – a caring friend, a supportive husband and loving father and grandfather, and a passionate industry advocate. Our lives will be forever changed with his passing.”
“I have lost a very dear friend,” said Chuck Sulkala, executive director of the National Auto Body Council. “Dave’s ever-present greeting of ‘What can I do to help you today?’ will be my pleasure to ask of others I now meet. I am sad beyond belief, and he will be missed deeply. May Dave’s legacy be with us forever.”
Added Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, "Dave McBroom was an amazing, inspiring individual. His membership, his peers and his friends flocked to him. He had a lifetime of well-earned experiences that gave him the apt ability to tell an inspiring tale on just about any subject matter, and a compelling kindness in his disposition that offered a charisma held by few. His passion for the industry, for what is right and for living life to its fullest was unparalleled, and it is an immeasurable loss for all of us."
Dave leaves behind his wife Terese “Terri” Walker McBroom, sister Marilyn Joyce “Joby” Cloutiaux; children Kevin McBroom (Pam) of St. Augustine, Fla., Stephanie Nelson (John) of Cookeville, Tenn. and Amy Helms (Alan) of South Carolina; niece Shayne Harris (Kirk), nephew Robin Trousdale (Sonia); grandniece and nephew Ashley Pelfrey and Clayton Hopper. As “Pap,” he will be missed by his adoring grandchildren Andrew, Isaac, Kingston, Winston, Ally, Abby, Lily, Lyla, William, Ashlyn and Lexy.
Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17, in the Chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 18 in the Chapel of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Interment will be held at a later date in Double Springs Cemetery of Cookeville, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dave McBroom to Hubbard House Women’s Shelter, Attn: Development, P.O. Box 4909, Jacksonville, FL 32201, or Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S), 5530 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207.
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