David Malcom Burley

David Malcom Burley, 58, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in a motorcycle accident in Wisconsin - doing what he loved, in the spirit of adventure that defined his life. Born in Katanning, Western Australia (WA) and raised in WA, David carved a life that was unapologetically his own. He was bold, generous, curious, and endlessly driven. Whether establishing restaurants, diving coral reefs, or feeding people with both food and spirit, he did everything with intention and fire. David lived his life as his own masterpiece - wild, tender, full of color and complexities. He was an adventurer in every sense of the word. He traveled the world, dove oceans and seas, flew the skies, and moved through the world like it was a gift meant to be fully opened. He found joy in motion, in beauty, in feeding people, in music and art. He had a big laugh, a sharp tongue, and a bottomless capacity for generosity. He helped reshape how Minnesotans gather, eat, and connect - building restaurants that felt like home and sparked a deep sense of community. Through the Blue Plate Restaurant Company, which he co-led with his dear friend and longtime business partner Stephanie Shimp, he nurtured that vision into one of the most respected hospitality groups in the state - rooted in neighborhood values, creative integrity, and uncompromising standards. But what set David apart wasn't how much he did. It was how he made people feel. He was disarmingly openhearted - quick to welcome, to listen, to offer help without hesitation. He gave freely: meals, stories, rides, encouragement, space. Everyone who knew him felt the deep steadiness of his presence. You could count on him and he showed up. David was the most incredible father. His three children - Charles Sparrow, Benjamin Javidan, and Isabella Javidan - were his heart. He raised them with love, humor, and a fierce sense of wonder. They carry his strength, his spark, and his warmth, and they adore him. His love for them shaped every corner of his life. He is preceded in death by his father, Keith Burley. David is survived by his children, Charles, Benjamin, and Isabella. He is also survived by his mother and stepfather, Jan and Tony Sefton, his brother and sister, Craig and Cheralyn Burley, his sister-in-law, Rochelle Burley, his nieces and nephews, and by his two beloved cats, BamBan and GinGin. He left behind a chosen family of remarkable depth. Friends, colleagues, staff, and the communities he poured himself into are forever changed by his love and presence. David Burley's absence is enormous. His memory is etched into every heart he held, and he held so many. There will be a public visitation on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Washburn-McReavy, 5000 West 50th & Highway 100, Edina, MN 55436. Friends, guests and those who knew him are invited to "Last Call", an open house Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 5:00 - 9:00 PM at The Freehouse, 701 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

David Malcom Burley

November 9, 1966 - April 6, 2025

Tributes

David Malcom Burley

November 9, 1966 - April 6, 2025

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