On Sunday, January 11, 2026, a group of friends gathered at the Stone House at Lindberg Park at 2 pm to remember David Voncannon, long time Culver City resident and community activist. The banners from the YMCA and the Exchange Club decorated the front of the room, just a few of the organizations that he was affiliated with.
John Cohn of the Exchange Club offered words of welcome, and shared his memories of Voncannon’s technical expertise, his intellectual curiosity, and his noted love of volunteering. “Dave was always the one to step forward. Whenever there was an ask, who can volunteer for this, his hand went right up.”
Other speakers included David Benson, Goren Erickson, Alexey Steele, Albert Vera, Jr., Andrew Weissman and Daivd’s son, John Voncannon.
Many of those who spoke noted Voncannon’s unflagging civility, the courtly manner by which he conducted all of his business, and his charmingly slow tempo. Benson shared that “You’d think you ‘d been there for half an hour or so, only to realize it had been an a hour and a half…just talking.”
Hope Parrish read letters from two who could not attend, Lyman Lokken and Rich Kissel, and a poem from Culver City’s Poet Laureate Emeritus, Dr. Janet Hoult.
Voncannon’s work with the Culver Arts Foundation was noted by Alexey Steele, who added to the refrain of those who noted his manners and his patience.
Voncannon’s contributions to the community reached far beyond the YMCA, the Exchange Club and Culver Arts Foundation. He was one of the original organizers of the Tellefson Park Neighborhood, and put in time as the Interim President of the Chanber of Commerce.
Several speakers quoted Voncannon’s words of gratitude to his partern, Elizabeth, and applauded their marriage of 56 years.
Voncanon passed away on July 27, 2025.
Judith Martin-Straw
