David G. Lura - Former Pastor [1980-84 & 2010-12]

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Pastor David G. Lura is a native of Cooperstown, North Dakota.  After several years of college he joined the U.S. Navy where he was trained as a radioman but mostly served as a Drug and Alcohol Education Specialist.  He finished his undergradute degree in Human Development from the University of Hawaii and after two years of study at Wartburg (Lutheran) Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa and seven quarters of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education - one at the Mendota Mental Health Faciility in Madison, Wisconsin and six at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska) he received a Master of Divinity Degree from the Iliff (United Methodist) School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. 

Pastor David's first appointment in the United Methodist Church was right here at Rockford UMC in 1980.  Later that year he met and the following October married Colleen Purcell.  After starting a fifth year in Rockford in 1984 (and joining the naval reserves as a chaplain) a mid-year move was necessitated so the Luras moved to Edmonds UMC to serve as a staff associate to the late Wm. Franklin Summerour.  In 1987 David and Colleen moved to serve as the Lead Pastor of Oak Harbor's First United Methodist Church until retirement in June of 2010.  The opportunity to return to Rockford was offered in late May and given that former pastor, Kathy Barrick was interested in continuing through the summer and Pastor David wanted a couple of months break the new appointment began on September 1, 2010

On the first of January 1990 their son, Daniel, was born.  He is a junior as a Cougar at Washington State University in Pullman.

Pastor David & Colleen "retired" back to Oak Harbor at the end of August 2012.  Their Address is 387 SW Judson Drive, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 and email address is lura.david.colleen@gmail.com and home phone is 360.682.5189.