DAVID LEE LADD

"Hubby," "Dad," "Papa Louhawk," "Pops," "your father!" and "friend." Names he went by to us. Dave or David to the rest of the world...

David Lee Ladd was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was a small child and fought a nearly 70-year battle with the disease before he peacefully passed away on October 26, 2025, with his loving wife, Sandra, and children, David and Alissa, by his side.

Immensely proud to be a Las Vegas Native, David could talk for hours about Vegas in the "good old days" and often did. David met Sandra when they were just rebellious teens. Weekends were for cruising Fremont Street, racing his Roadrunner at the old raceway, watching movies at the Huntridge Theatre, and band practice, in which David played the electric bass.

The couple married in 1972 and celebrated 53 years of marriage this past July. A dedicated family man, David was a proud father and husband, and worked hard during his lifetime to provide for his family.

A testament to being a native, David worked in many of the hotels in Las Vegas that are no longer standing, including the Stardust, Thunderbird, and the Landmark; ultimately, David retired from the Clark County Department of Aviation at McCarran Airport. David met and helped many people over the years, with grateful travelers sending him cards and notes of thanks. Not one to throw letters away, it is wonderful for his family to have those notes to look back on and read during this sad time (never think your good deeds and kindness go unseen!).

In his past, David was a certified EMT and a proud member of REACT of Las Vegas. He often volunteered his time to set up and run the REACT coffee and donut trailers set up between California and Las Vegas during holiday travel times so that weary travelers could take a break and get back on the road safely. That is the type of person David was and always will be in our hearts – caring, compassionate, and excited to chat up new people.

One to enjoy simple things in life, David was an avid Vegas Golden Knights fan, and had a love of everything rock and roll. His memory when it came to music was amazing...he could tell you the history of a band or the background of a song as easy as reciting the ABCs.

Although we miss him each second of the day, we know that his struggles with diabetes are over. Contributions in David's memory can be made to Breakthrough T1D or Best Friends Animal Society.

David is survived by his beloved wife Sandra; his children, David (Sophie) Ladd and Alissa (Kevin) Kelly; his grandchildren whom he adored, Spencer Ladd, Abbie Ladd, and Deven Schuster; his cousin Marilyn Schouten, who helped to raise David; brother- and sisters-in-law; many treasured nieces, nephews, and extended cousins; his golden retriever, Bailey; and many grandpups. A true lover of animals, David owned many dogs throughout his life and just might have been known for returning from the grocery store with a puppy in the bag.

David was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Eleanor Ladd; and Albert Schouten, Marilyn's husband.