Dr. David Kenoss Jefferson

December 21, 1938 - January 27, 2016

Dr. David Kenoss Jefferson, 77, died peacefully on January 27, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Benjamin and Helen Kenoss Jefferson, his son, Eric Jefferson and his first wife, Patricia Pounds Jefferson. He is survived by his wife, Neva Rogers Carlson, Asheville; daughter, Dr. Kimberly Jefferson and her husband, Dr. William Ciesla and their children, Lydia and Audrey of Midlothian, VA; stepson, Craig Jefferson and his wife Suzanne and their children, Craig, Steven, David and Michael of Chesterfield, VA; stepdaughter, Dr. Linnea Carlson and her husband, Robert Grady of W. Bridgewater, MA; stepson, Dr. John Carlson and his wife, Dr. Carolina Campion and their children, Thomas and Evangeline of New Orleans, LA; stepdaughter, Kristen Carlson and her husband, Christopher Guidry and their children, Io, Thora, Orion and Leo of W. Bridgewater, MA; brother, John Jefferson and his wife, Joyce of Madras, OR and brother, Benjamin Jefferson and his wife, Rosalinda, of Mesa, AZ. David was born and raised in Pasadena, CA. He was awarded one of the first National Merit Scholarships and graduated from Cal Tech with a degree in mathematics, followed by a master’s degree from Columbia University and a PhD from the University of Michigan in computer science. He began his career working for the Navy, developing computer software and later teaching at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. He spent most of his career at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Washington, DC, where he was a Division Chief in the Computer Systems Laboratory and a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service. While there, he traveled widely developing international software standards, and was awarded the Commerce Department’s Silver Medal for Meritorious Service for his efforts in developing software systems for the Department of Defense. David was an intellectually curious life-long learner, taking classes in every subject. He loved to read and travel, and greatly enjoyed the natural and cultural beauty of Asheville. David will be remembered by cherished family and friends as a kind and compassionate man who lived a life of quiet joy. No services are planned at this time, but for those who wish, contributions may be made in his memory to MemoryCare, the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, the Western North Carolina Arboretum, or any organization that does good in the world. The family appreciates the care given to him by Heather Glen Assisted Living and Four Seasons Hospice.