Health Ambassadors

Family members of the late Dave “Flakey” Wilt will be introduced as Health Ambassadors for this year’s Garrett County Health Fair at Garrett College CARC on Saturday, April 8. Peggy Brown, Ellen Spiker, and Melanie Carver will honor his spirit of serving others and stress the importance of taking care of your own health.  Wilt, who died in December, lived with diabetes for 18 years.

Here is Flakey’s story from his family’s perspective:

David “Flakey” Wilt was an iconic figure around Grantsville, Md.  He was a very sociable person. Many would say his personality was as colorful as his truck.  David had just received a “Caring for others” award from the Woodman’s Lodge 41.”

The award was very deserving as David would always take care of others before himself.  For example, he would stop at elderly folks houses to assist with maintaining fires, do laundry, dishes, medications, and anything that needed done.  It didn’t matter how big or small the job was, what mattered to David was he was caring for others. David left the legacy of having delivered thousands of truckloads of firewood, most of which was delivered to the needy at no charge.  The wood was not only delivered, it was cut, split, and stacked where requested.

David left an impression on each and every kid that he ever came across. With his beard and hat many were afraid but with a couple jokes and quarter or so, he always had a way of making them smile. In memory of David, Travis Rounds raised $600.00 for a scholarship to go to a Northern Garrett High School student. Through this scholarship, David will still be helping the kids of Garrett County.

As David was always worrying and caring for others he often neglected his own needs and medical issues.  Knowing that David had diabetes, others would often watch out for him. He was diagnosed with diabetes in his forties. When David was diagnosed with diabetes he couldn’t afford his medicine, so with the help of friends, he got assistance to help pay for his medicine.

David had to change his lifestyle with his diet and exercise and he did not cope well with all the changes that he was facing. During the 18 years of David having had diabetes he didn’t care for himself as he should have. Weeks before David’s death he had just accepted the fact that he did have diabetes and he had to start taking better care of himself. David had started to change his diet and had enrolled in diabetes health classes that would start in January 2017.

David and others had no idea of the impact that he made on thousands of lives.  Everybody’s life was impacted the minute they met David.  Once met, David was never forgotten. He always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye and a story or two to tell.

For Immediate Release:  April 5, 2017
Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7689