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Last updated on Tuesday, January 16, 2018
(WEST BADEN) - West Baden Police Chief Dave Atchison lost his battle to cancer on Thursday Jan. 11.
Atchison, 56, of Orleans, passed away surrounded by family and friends at his home.
He was born on July 17th, 1961 in Bedford, Indiana to Eugene Atchison and Alma "Melton" Owens.
He married Donna Roach on May 4th, 2001 and she survives.
Dave was a 1981 graduate of Mitchell High School and following high school, he served our country in the United States Marine Corps from 1980-1989 in the Granada and Bruit conflicts. After being honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, he served in the United States Army Reserves from 1991-1996 and then the United States Army National Guard from 2001-2003. Dave was a member of the American Legion Post 250 in Mitchell, Indiana.
Dave was not afraid to work and through the years was employed with the Bedford Parks Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department as Jail Commander and Road Deputy, the French Lick Springs Hotel in Surveillance and the West Baden Police Department, where his most recent position was Chief of Police. He was a former member of the Blue Knights, Legion Riders and an avid motorcycle rider.
He was part of the Scuba Team, was a guest instructor at ILEA for Defense Tactics and a certified instructor for Taser and Defense Tactics. He trained with the Evansville Police Department SWAT Team to assist in perfecting his skills as an Active Shooter Instructor.
Dave has been practicing Mixed Martial Arts for over 30 years and established Atchison Martial Arts in Orleans, where he taught and mentored both students and at-risk youth on discipline and leadership. He always had high expectations for his students and even higher of his children.
He held several black belts in martial arts, they include - Kempo, Kenpo, Issin Ryu, Hapkido, 2nd Degree Tae Kwon Do, blue belt under Royce Gracie, purple belt under Rickson Gracie and a black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. Dave was a Professor of Carlson Gracie Jr. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Dave is survived by his wife, Donna Atchison, of Orleans; two sons Tyler Atchison and his wife Emily, of Orleans,
Hunter Atchison and his wife Chelsie, of Orleans; one daughter Amanda Blanton and husband Nick, of Orleans; one brother Roland "Bub" Atchison and wife Linda, of Mitchell; two sisters Darlene Irwin and husband Kenny, of Mitchell ad
Glenda Duncan and husband Larry, of Mitchell; seven grandchildren Payton Blanton, Carter Allen, Payton Atchison, Hanlea Atchison, Linley Atchison, Easton Blanton, and Hadlea Atchison.
He was preceded in death by two brothers Gary and Robert.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be conducted by Kirby Stailey at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 20th, at Unity Hall Orleans Christian Church in Orleans. Friends may call Friday, January 19th, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Unity Hall Orleans Christian Church in Orleans, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Atchison Martial Arts for existing and continuing costs in memory of Dave's legacy as a teacher of discipline and leadership to the youth of his community, as well as the at-risk youth of the community. Donations can be sent to: Atchison Martial Arts, 360 North Second Street, Orleans, IN 47452.
Arrangements are in the care of Brosmer-Kemple Funeral Homes, 9640 W. State Road 56, French Lick, Indiana 47432.
Condolences may be made on our Facebook page at Brosmer-Kemple Funeral Home or at our website - www.brosmer-kemplefuneralhome.com.
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