David "Big Dave" Haas

David Leroy Haas, better known to most as "Big Dave", passed away Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. David was born September 1, 1957 at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, the second of six children to Wesley Leroy and Myrtle Mae (Ladner) Haas. He grew up in Kiln and never really ventured too far from his home town for very long. David loved hunting deer, becoming quite accomplished at it over the years. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles and playing football. Standing over 6' tall and weighing 275 or more as a freshman at Hancock North Central, you can easily see why he was known as Big Dave. He was about as big and tough as they come on the outside, but inside Dave was truly a gentle giant. After graduating high school in the mid 70s, David went to work for Wesley Haas Trucking for several years. When his brother Stevie opened The Broke Spoke, Big Dave became a fixture there, bartending and managing the place. He decided to open his own place and called it "Bruno's", which he ran for a couple of years until Katrina damaged the building. He never reopened, rather he went back home to The Broke Spoke. In 2010, Big Dave suffered a massive heart attack, referred to as "the widow maker" since most do not survive it...but Big Dave did. While it brought his working days to an end, it gave him more time to relax and hunt, which he did as much as possible. He took several hunting trips, to places like Wyoming, Montana, Missouri and more. When he wasn't hunting, Dave enjoyed riding his Harley. He was a member of the ASGARD motorcycle club and rode with them often, even making it to Sturgis a couple of times over the years. He is remembered as a "big 'ol teddy bear" by those who knew him best. Yes, he was an intimidating man in size and appearance, but he had an even larger, tender heart. While he never married, Big Dave loved and raised Justin & Derrick as best he could, but Kaden changed it all when he came along. Big Dave was his "Papa" and Kaden was his world. Kind and friendly to everyone, Big Dave will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded by his parents, Wesley L. & Myrtle Haas. Left to cherish his memories are: the boys he raised as his own, Justin Spiers of Kiln and Derrick Spiers of White Cypress Lakes; three sisters, Peggy (Andy) Ladner, Gina Larsen and Mary Ann (E.J.) Richards, with two brothers, Stevie (Mabel) and Kevin (Lisa) Haas, all of the Kiln. He leaves behind the light of his life for the last twelve years, his grandson Kaden Spiers, fourteen nieces and nephews that he adored as they did him, along with countless other extended family, friends and patrons over the years. Dave didn't want any fancy funeral services when his time came, so his family is honoring his wishes. A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 29th at 1:00 PM in the Bayou Coco cemetery. Following the service, everyone is welcomed to The Broke Spoke in the Kiln to celebrate Big Dave. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Haas family in their time of need, asking everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers over this difficult time.