David Rees-Thomas Obituary

"Live life to the fullest for the glory of God". DAVID C. REES-THOMAS January 24, 1940 - August 7, 2023 A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, September 16 at 10 a.m. at Living Stones Church on Ali'i Drive. Following the service, refreshment and fellowship will be at Calvary Community Church at 1pm, followed by the internment of Pastor David and Eliane's ashes in the Cross Garden at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Salvation Army of Kona, Living Stones Church, or Calvary Community Church. David C. Rees-Thomas was born in Wellington, New Zealand, the oldest of five children. He loved playing sports, particularly rugby, running, and boxing. He was called to the ministry at the age of 13 and never looked back. At the age of 19, he left for England to attend Elim Bible College, where he met his wife Eliane Olivetti. They married in 1962 and the world adventure began, pastoring around the world in Wales; Bradford, England; New Zealand; Springfield, Missouri; Oakland, California; and finally, Kona, Hawaii. In addition to pastoring, David loved to minister and teach, taking him to places like the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Fiji, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, Europe, Canada, and across the Unites States. David was an active Kona community member being the first commissioner of soccer for WHYSO, serving on the Board of the Kona Salvation Army, establishing the Kona Ministers Fellowship, ministering as a chaplain at Kona Hospital for over 20 years, being an M.C. for the Kona Chorale, and serving as a Rotarian for 43 years. He is survived by daughter Michelle (Nick) Romo, son David G. Rees-Thomas, grandchildren Edana and Cealinn, sister Fae (Winkie) Pratney, brothers Anthony (Susan) and Paul, and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.