Sgt 1st Class David Lawrence Tangermann, USA, Retired

David Lawrence Tangermann was born on July 10, 1947, in Vancouver, Washington. He was the youngest of 4 children. As a boy, his family later moved to Tillamook, Oregon, where they raised milking cows. Every day before and after school, Dave could be found milking the cows or in the barn helping with chores. And when the work was done, he was almost always out fishing.

In 1965, at the age of 18, Dave enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Accounting and Finance. Though he did not see combat, he endured the many hardships faced by those stationed in Vietnam. Of all his duty stations, Germany became his favorite. He often spoke about the beauty of the country—and, of course, the excellent German beer.

After retiring from the Army with 20 years of service, Dave returned home and used his financial skills to run his own bookkeeping business. He also worked full-time in property management, screening tenants, showing properties, processing paperwork, and coordinating maintenance. It was during this time that he met Yoma while showing her apartments. They quickly became friends, bonding over shared interests, especially dogs and bowling.

Dave and Yoma married on November 25, 2001, and soon purchased their home in Gladstone, Oregon—a house Yoma had lived in years earlier and always loved. It felt meant to be that it became available just as they began their life together. They lived there with their beloved dog, Max until the day Dave suddenly went to be with God. He had long struggled with chronic lung disease and endured a painful cough in his final years.

Dave was known for being outspoken, sometimes temperamental, and occasionally a grouch—but he loved his family deeply. Those who truly knew him understood that beneath his gruff Army exterior was a good and loving man. Leaving this world without warning was, in its own way, very “Dave.” When he made up his mind, he acted with clarity and without hesitation. He lived and loved with intention.

He will be missed dearly by Yoma, the love of his life and the person who knew him best.

Dave is survived by his wife, Yoma; older brother, Tony; children, Tara, Shirley, Julie, and Kylan; and stepchildren, Sherry, Brandy, Renee, and Jeff

Rest in peace, Dave. Your suffering is over, and we will see you again.

A Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Gladstone Christian Church, Gladstone, Oregon; followed by a 1:00 p.m. Cemetery Service with Military Honors at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon