David 'Dave' L. Northup, 81, passed away on January 6, 2025, at his home in Stockton, KS. He was born on July 2, 1943, to David G. and Leona M. (Cotten) Northup in Rooks County, KS near Webster. He married Kimberly “Kim” A. Barnett on March 3, 1973, in Goodland, KS. Dave was blessed with a daughter, Christine, from a previous marriage. Dave and Kim were blessed with two children: Tabor and Shaudel.
Dave graduated from Stockton High School in 1962 and began his professional career as a State Highway Inspector during the construction of Interstate 70. Upon completion of the project, Dave was hired as a salesman for Car Parts, Inc. When Goodland Motor Company decided to develop a parts division of their business, Dave was hired to help with that endeavor. When Big A Auto decided to open a store in Goodland, they came to Dave and Kim to own and operate the business, which they did for the next 20 years. When they sold the business, they talked about the future and Dave told his wife that he lived in her hometown for 26 years, now they could live in his hometown for the next 26 years…after that they would flip a coin to see where they would go. This year would have marked their 26th year in Stockton. After their move to Stockton, Dave continued his semi-retirement working for Winchells of Stockton, Taylor Fuel Systems, Inc., and Sterling Auto Supply, LLC.
Dave’s love of cars was his passion. He built several street rods for himself and others over the years, including a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster and a 1931 Ford Model A Panel Wagon. At the time of his death, he was completing a 1931 Model A Ford Victoria that he had gifted to his wife. Dave and Kim spent a lot of good times with friends from Goodland and Burlington, CO going on rod runs. They traveled to Las Vegas, Memphis, St. Paul, Winnipeg, Canada, and many places in between. It would only take a phone call, and a caravan of street rods would travel to the Colorado mountains for dinner. Dave was a founding member of the Goodland Early Iron Car Club and a founding member of the Stockton Rodders.
As good natured as they come, Dave enjoyed family reunions (especially at the lake), working in his yard and spending time outside, hanging out with his beloved dogs, and catching up with his many old friends. To many of these old friends, he was known as “Dave” or “David”. To quite a few of them, he was called “Super Dave” or “Butch”. His favorite names, though, were “Dad” and “Papa”. A kid at heart, the pride and love he felt for his kids and grandkids was clear to everyone he knew.
Dave is survived by his wife, Kim Northup of the home in Stockton; children: Tabor Northup of Stockton, Shaudel (Joe) Bain of Hays, KS and Christine (Wade) Maupin of Overland Park, KS; sister, Beatrice (Kent) McDaneld of Goddard, KS; brothers-in-law, James Axelson of Stockton and Dave (Janice) Barnett of Yukon, OK; sisters-in-law, Patty Northup of Phillipsburg, KS, Darci Rains of Piedmont, OK Kiera (Larry) Pollard of Spickard, MO; mother-in-law, Juanita Barnett of Goodland, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his six beloved grandchildren: Alexis Larson, Ella, Ainsleigh and Liam Bain, and Carolina and Temprance Northup. They were the joy of his life.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, David and Leona; sister, Shirley Axelson; brother, James Northup; father-in-law, Wade Barnett; brother-in-law, Richard Rains; and niece, Charlene Liddeke.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, where family and friends will gather to honor and remember Dave’s life and legacy.
Memorials are suggested to Stockton Rodders’ Scholarship Fund and may be sent to Plumer- Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com