Meet David Carmon! David is a longtime Gainesville resident, Gainesville High graduate and has been married to Jessie for 16 years. He says the best thing about Hall County is the friendly and supportive people in the community.
The Gainesville-Hall County community rallied for David last fall when a charity golf tournament was played in his honor to raise funds for his recovery of the West Nile virus. On Labor Day weekend 2018, David was bit by a mosquito that carried the West Nile virus. From one mosquito bite, David was paralyzed and continues to recover from the bite.
We want to thank David for spending time with us and telling us about his life and love of Hall County. We wish you well David and Jessie and prayers for a full and complete recovery.
Question: Tell me about the Golf Tournament held in your name?
Answer: “We’ve been so blessed by so many people here, just the outgoing of people just coming by to visit. It’s been very humbling, just the outpouring of the community made me feel better about the whole situation. It’s been an eye-opening experience, every day is a gift and we get so caught up in all this other stuff in life and just enjoy what you can or just make stuff up to enjoy.”
Q: Where did you go to high school?
A: “I went to Gainesville High and graduated in 83’.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I wasn’t born here, but I moved here when I was four years old in 1969. So, basically I have lived here most of my life. I’ve moved away a couple of times and then moved back. Basically, Jessie and I moved back around the same time, because our mothers were on their own at the time and we just met at the right time. I knew Jessie from high school, neither one of us were married and we got together when she was 39 and I was 38 and we’ve been together ever since. I’ve been blessed that we’ve been married for 16 years. We’ve gone through a lot with each other and it’s only brought us closer.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about living in Hall County?
A: “I think it’s the people, everybody knows everybody. When I go to the grocery store it almost takes two hours because you’re always running into someone you know. I just feel very welcomed here, so that’s probably my favorite part of living in Hall County.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “I’d probably have to go with 2 Dog or Recess. When I go to 2 Dog I get the stuffed portobella mushrooms and at Recess, I get the tuna and the bacon-wrapped dates.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Enrique Montiel, he’s one of the top poultry vets, so he’s always literally traveling around the world. He’s originally from Venezuela, but all his family now is all in the states. When he is home he invites me over and I get to meet all these incredible people from around the world.”
Q: What is your favorite music/three bands you would like to see? (Dead or Alive)
A: “The Eagles, Cranes, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I really want to go sky-diving, go to Europe and see parts I’ve never seen, and travel out West and see some National Parks.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Enjoy every day. I know it’s kinda cheesy, but after what I’ve been through, you’ll have bad days and good days, but get the most out of each day as you can.”