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In memory of

David "Papa Kela" Scorza

Chandler, AZ, USA

November 11, 1942 - February 16, 2021

Nov 11, 1942 - Feb 16, 2021

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David Scorza, 78, a retired missionary, passed away on February 16, 2021 in Chandler, Arizona. Dave was born on November 11, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to Arnold and Lorraine Scorza. After spending his childhood in Illinois and North Carolina, attending Willowbrook High and competing as a ring man on the gymnastics team. He met his wife Jackie at Columbia Bible College in NC. Together they joined Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) and left for Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 1967.
For 50 years he loved and served the people of PNG with WBT. Dave went to PNG as a translator and linguist, and left as a beloved brother, uncle, second father, and “Papa Kela” to hundreds. He and Jackie were supported in their missionary journey by many beloved churches, friends, and family members.
While there, Dave made invaluable contributions to the work of Summer Institute of Linguistics and the Bible Translation Association, and for a period worked alongside his son, Kurt, and daughter-in-law, Melinda, and their children Nadia and Bella.
Dave was a true renaissance man: translator, linguist, jogger, weightlifter, gymnast, tennis player, storyteller, author, avid reader, guitar and banjo player, singer, scuba diver, rappeler, caver, motorcyclist, horse rider, EMT, builder and mechanic . He was interested in every person he met and was known for his warm heart, sense of adventure, and quick puns. He will be greatly missed!
Upon retiring, he settled in Chandler, AZ, near his daughter Kristi and son-in-law, Michael, and their children Reegan, Dominic and Christopher. He was married to Jackie for 54 years.
He is survived by his family, grandchildren and great granddaughter, Brynlee, his siblings Miriam (Al) Meyer, Ken (Judy) Scorza, Rich (Judith) Scorza and their families.

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