David Walker Jayne IV died on May 24th in San Francisco. David was born in New York City on February 2, 1963, to Betsey Baldwin Jayne and David Jayne. After years in Hong Kong and Chicago, the Jayne family settled in Pelham in 1976. David, known as DJ to his many friends at Pelham Memorial High School, had numerous passions including cycling, animals, creative clothing combinations and, especially, listening to and making music—a lifelong love instilled by Dorothy Koening and her electronic music class at PMHS. A self-taught drummer (lefty!) keyboardist and singer, David was a member of several bands throughout his life and has numerous recordings to his name.

After graduating in 1986 from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, David worked for ABC News in New York. David then pursued an audiovisual career and was a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in San Francisco (IATSE Local 16).

David was extremely intelligent and well-read, had an amazing memory and was a fount of trivia. David also battled addiction and mental illness and his remarkable brain struggled with existential questions about the future of our world and his place in it. David made his choice to end his life and join his father, grandparents, nephew Grant, cousin Pennel, and his beloved dog Porter in a better place.

David is survived by his mother, his sisters Lisa Sippel (Matthew) and Debbi Seaver Brown (Keith), his brother Stephen (Jackie) and his 3 nieces and 4 nephews.

The family will hold a memorial for David some time in the future. In keeping with his concern for this earth and its creatures, David supported Planned Parenthood and the ASPCA.

Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the family.