David T. Wells, 84, of Reston

»Obituary and service information courtesy of Gray Wells.

David T Wells, a Reston resident for 36 years from 1970-2006, passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer on Oct. 30, 2014, at the age of 84 in his home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He will be buried with full military honors on Monday, Aug. 24, at Arlington National Cemetery at 9 a.m. A reception with the family will immediately follow the burial services.

In 1970, David, his wife Mary LaRue Wells and their four children, Gray, Torrey, Jon and Greg moved to Reston to make it their permanent home. They raised their children in the same Charter Oak townhouse they first bought in 1970, and became very active in the community. All four children graduated from Herndon High School.

David joined for the new Reston Home Owners Association in 1974 in a management position and worked there for the next 19 years. This job enabled him to serve his community, work close to home, and coach his sons’ soccer teams.

Dave was born in New York City in January of 1930 to parents Margaret Michie Wells and David Torrey Wells, Sr. David attended preparatory school at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., before he followed his maternal grandfather, Brigadier General Robert E. L. Michie, to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

During his 21 years with the U.S. Army, David served two tours in Korea, one in Japan and one in the jungles of Vietnam. David also spent three years in Brazil with the Joint Brazil-U.S. Army Military Commission. David received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star.

In 1977, David received his Juris Doctorate from George Washington University Law School. He was a member of the Bar in both Virginia and the District of Columbia.

David always maintained an active lifestyle. He participated in water polo and boxing at West Point, and racquetball and tennis thereafter; the latter he enjoyed well into his 70s. David was reserved, even-tempered and very witty. He was also intelligent, loyal, and loved by his family and friends.

David was pre-deceased by his parents and his sister, Gray Wells Josephs. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary LaRue Wells, and their children, Gray Wells Harris (C. Daniel Harris), David Torrey Wells III (Gie Concillo Wells), Jonathan Beachy Wells (Petra Zirner Wells), and Gregory Christian Wells (Hillary Jensen Wells); and grandchildren Jesse Harris, Frankie Harris, Carina Wells, Maike Wells, Gray Wells, Hunter Wells, Ainsley Wells and Libby Wells.

David will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. He will be interred beside his father, David Torrey Wells, Sr., his mother, Margaret Michie Wells, and his grandmother, Gray Beachy Michie, the wife of Brigadier General Robert E.L. Michie (who died during World War I and is buried in the U.S. military cemetery in Suresnes, France).

Services will begin at 9 a.m. at the Old Post Chapel, located at 204 Lee Ave in Fort Myer. Arrive at the Hatfield Gate by 8:30 to get through security in time to be seated by 8:55. A valid driver’s license will be required of all adults to gain access to the post. (Hatfield Gate is near 2nd St South and Washington Blvd.)

Following the chapel service, the cortege, headed by the Caisson and Honor Guard, will proceed from the Old Post Chapel to the burial site. A reception with the family will follow the graveside services at Spates Hall, 214 McNair Road in Fort Myer.

In lieu of flowers, cards and notes can be sent to Mrs. David T. Wells at 6958 East Shooting Star Way, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85226-7023.