WILMINGTON — Dr. David Emerson Padgett, 79, went to his heavenly home August 28, 2024. The world has lost a caring, gentle soul. David was born January 27, 1945, at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg, NC, the son of Army Sargent David Lester Padgett and Betty Brewer Padgett of Red Springs, NC.
David graduated from Fayetteville Senior High School, Class of 1963 where he starred on the track team that lead to a scholarship to Duke University graduating with a degree in Religion June 1967. After graduation from Duke, he was accepted into the US Naval Officer Candidate School in 1968 and graduated as a US Navy Ensign June 1969. He served aboard the US Naval Destroyer John W. Weeks (DD701) aka the “Leaky Weeks” in Viet Nam for 18 months, subsequently transferring to the staff of the Command Destroyer Squadron at Norfolk Naval Base and was honorably discharged in 1972.
Wishing to pursue his desire to teach, David attended graduate school in Botany at Ohio State University, obtaining a Master’s Degree and Doctorate in June 1975 prior to joining the Biology Department at UNCW that same year. During his 34-year career as a tenured professor at UNCW David authored numerous research papers and books as a world-renowned mycologist, notably Biology and Systematics of the Saprolegniaceae and his final research paper where he disproves the fundamental tenants of previously accepted classification of the saprolegniaceae resulting in the emergence of a new area of scientific study now known as “Black Fungus”.
Anyone who knew David, knows he had a great love and talent for woodworking using the hand planes he inherited from his grandfather. David created beautiful furniture and one example of his talents is the wood cross at Covenant Moravian Church in Wilmington. He enjoyed passing on his skills to the next generation of woodworkers by supporting and volunteering his time at Kids Making It. Nothing made David happier than being in his workshop or the extensive research he did
collecting specimens at Bradley Creek.
David is survived by his wife, Kathryn J. Maland (and beloved cat, Oliver); and son, Patrick Lively Padgett (Lee) of Detroit, MI and daughter, Ginny Padgett Johnson (Lee) of Wilmington, NC., children of his first wife Laura W. Padgett. Also surviving are his sisters, MaryAnn Largent of Chapel Hill, NC and Ellen Lee of Lewisville, NC. Survivors include his step-children Tyler Maland Black (Lamont) of Chicago, IL and Myles McDonough Maland (Rebecca) of Boulder, CO. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Lively Padgett and Emerson Teer as well as step-grandchildren, Mason, Porter and Avery Black, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Special thanks go to his dear caregiver and friend, Kiara Kennedy, and Lower Cape Fear Life Care of Wilmington for their compassionate care for David.
After a private visitation at Wilmington Funeral and Cremation, an intimate celebration of life will take place at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please make gifts in David’s memory to Kids Making It or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center.
