Hundreds of friends gather to honor Dave Lemmon

Dave Lemmon, a lifelong Lewes resident, lost his battle to cancer Sept. 22. His friends had hoped he would have attended a benefit in his honor on Oct. 5 at American Legion Post 17 in Lewes.

As Wayne Leathem looked at the sold-out crowd, he said this was Dave's kind of day. "I'm sure he would have been here spinning records," Leathem said. "He would have been embarrassed, but also proud to see you all here today."

Leathem, one of the organizers of the event, was a long-time friend of a man who had numerous friends.

An Army veteran, Lemmon was a 1966 Lewes High School and University of Delaware graduate. He went on to become a physical education and health teacher at Lewes Middle School. He owned several local businesses, including Ragtops in the Midway Shopping Center and the Palm Grill in Lewes. He was also in the construction business and was resident manager of Port Lewes.

He was also a popular DJ who  played hundreds of fundraisers, often donating his time to help others.

He was an avid fan of the University of Delaware Blue Hens, Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles. He was a member of Post 17 and Delaware Seashore Parrot Head Club.

The benefit event featured local bands including Go With the Flo, Lower Case Blues, Bob Lougheed, The Wise Guys and Junior Wilson as well as silent and live auctions.

Proceeds from the event will help defray medical costs.