David Leon Massie

David Leon Massie became free from pain at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Center on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:26 a.m. He was born on May 12, 1966 in Gallipolis, Ohio, son of the late Jerry Massie and Donna Gaye Watson Massie who survives.

David was a 1984 graduate of Gallia Academy High School and Buckeye Hills Career Center. He worked at Bob Evans Restaurant and Holzer Hospital for many years before completing his professional electrician associate degree from PCDI in 1997. He continued to obtain his Master Electrician License. After earning this license, he started Massie Electrical Service, which he operated for 15 years in Gallia County and West Virginia.

In 2012, he went to work in Kentucky for Dixon Electric, before moving to Columbus and taking a job at Romanoff Electric as a commercial foreman. Dave loved to work; his biggest heartbreak was when his illness required him to retire in 2019.

Dave knew how to fix anything. If you looked up the definition of “Jack of all trades,” Dave’s picture would be there. He was the go-to man; no matter what it was, Dave was there to help. We always joked that if you needed to know how to do something, Dave would know what to do and what tool to use to do it!

There were three things in his life that meant more than anything, being a father, being a grandfather, and his love for dogs.

In 1987, the love of his life, Jillian Rose Massie, was born. From that day forward he dedicated his life to taking care of his daughter. Even in illness when the roles reversed, David made his daughter his first priority. When he became a grandfather in 2007 and again in 2008, he discovered his greatest joy in life, being a “Papal,” the most beloved job he had ever held.

David is survived by his daughter, Jillian Massie; grandson, Owen Massie; granddaughter, Ayvah Hurlow all of Chillicothe, Ohio; his mother Donna Gaye Massie; brother Phillip (Celeste) Massie; sister Elizabeth Ann Massie all of Gallipolis Ohio; aunts, Dorothy Hunt of Logan, Ohio and Emogene Kingery of Gallipolis, Ohio; cousin, Karen (Nick) Meade of Logan, Ohio; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; his most prized possession, his beloved dog Artemis; and his significant other, Diana Harless.

David was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Massie; paternal grandfather, Robert (Jack) Massie; paternal grandmother, Hazel Massie; maternal grandfather, Harold Watson; maternal grandmother, Pauline Watson; paternal aunts, Rachel Saunders and Belle Beaver; and cousin, Eric Evans.

The funeral service for Dave will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Willis Funeral Home with Jay Proffitt officiating. His burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Willis Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Phillip Massie, Owen Massie, Nick Meade, Gary Hurlow, Jay Proffitt, Don Phillips, and Frank Pauley.