Later Ministry and Death

David's work in the north ended in 1881 when he accepted a call to the suburban pastorate at Goodwood. It is reported that, at the end of 1884, he had built the Goodwood church up to a membership of 96. In 1885 he served again as Chairman of the SA Baptist Association.
Although no longer stationed in the area he maintained his interest in the northern churches. Appropriately, he presided at the inauguration on 26th January, 1885 of the Northern District Association as a branch of the SA Baptist Association. The churches that formed the Association were Georgetown, Jamestown, Laura, Orroroo, Petersburg, Port Pirie, Baroota and Terowie.
Several months later David announced his resignation from the Goodwood pastorate and his acceptance of a call to the Fenwick Street Church in Geelong, Victoria. There is some mystery about the circumstances surrounding this move. A resolution of the General Committee of the SA Baptist Association records its regret at the necessity for Mr. Badger's resignation. The fact that he felt constrained to transfer his labours to Victoria may have had some connection with his oldest son, William Clarence, who, as indicated above, had moved there at some stage in the early 1880s. After serving for three years at Geelong David accepted a call to Echuca where he remained until his death.
His death came suddenly and unexpectedly. He was addressing a meeting at the YWCA at Echuca on 29th October, 1890 when he suddenly collapsed and died.

An obituary in the Adelaide Register of 1st November, l890 described his career and summed it up in the following words:
'Mr. Badger was held in very high esteem by the denomination with whom he was connected and indeed everyone who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He was an able minister, both his sermons and addresses being very much appreciated by his congregations. Latterly he was regarded as one of the most acceptable supplies at the Rev. S Chapman's Church in Collins Street, Melbourne.'

The November issue of Truth and Progress reported that a telegraphic message had been received of his death and the following issue contained an obituary which concluded:-
'Mr. Badger was a preacher of more than ordinary ability and eloquence. ..not only an earnest and acceptable preacher, he was a genial, large-hearted, liberal, loving and lovable man. ..Ever ready was he to "spend and be spent" for his Divine Master.'
The cause of death was described as 'syncope probably due to fatty degeneration of the heart'. He was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide. The inscription on his tombstone reads:

	In Memoriam Rev. David Badger (Baptist Minister) Died 29 October 1890 Aged 63 Servant of God, well done Rest from thy loved employ The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy Master's joy.

There are memorials to him in a number of the South Australian churches which owe their existence to his devoted service. In addition there is a memorial plaque provided by the South Australian Baptist Union in the Canberra Church with the inscription:
'The Rev. David Badger
Pioneer and Evangelist'
His name is also perpetuated in an annual prize in Biblical Studies, called the 'David Badger Prize', awarded by the Morphett Vale Church to a student of Burleigh College.
The Baptist historian, H. Estcourt Hughes, in his book 'Our First Hundred Years' pays the following tribute to his memory:-
'He was endowed with a wonderful combination of gifts and graces, and,has been described as one of Nature's gentlemen. He was genial, sympathetic, large-hearted, unselfish, and was possessed of the pioneering instinct in a marked degree. He never spared himself, and bore all hardships and discomforts cheerfully for the sake of the Christ who had redeemed him and the Church of his choice.

He undertook a big task and carried it through with wonderful faithfulness and determination. He was a tireless worker, and there are few names on the roll call of our South Australian ministers that shine with a brighter lustre than his. He was an Apostle, a Pathfinder, an Evangelist, a Pastor and a Friend. He loved his work. Preaching was his passion ...He was at all times a minister of the evangel, willing to be all things to all men if he might have the joy of serving some.'