He was a good friend. I met Dave while we were in the Navy. I miss him.

Theresa... my condolences to you and your family.   I am just hearing of David’s passing .  Even though it’s been months  I know you are still in pain.  Just take one day at a time my friend. I’ve learned  if you look ahead it’s too overwhelming and you’ll think you can’t make it.  God will not give you tomorrow’s strength today, but when tomorrow comes HE will give you the strength you need.    

Veronica Kelley
Lancaster, Texas

A memory I will always cherish that I had with pappaw was our goodbyes. Because he cried just about every time we had to say goodbye, it really showed me the importance of what you leave with your loved ones. And when he would leave, he would make sure we knew we were loved. Now, every time I go, I make sure the people I'm leaving know they are loved. I love you Pappaw  <3

I love Pappaw so so much. He has always been someone that I look up to. He was so kind, loving, and charismatic - just the way he told his stories when we were children, with so much joy, making us laugh so hard we cried, or sparking so much interest with how bizarre they were. There is one short story that will always stick out in my mind. I have no clue why it's this one, but I remember him once saying how when he was in school he was so popular with the ladies, and has such good hair, that soon all the girls started grabbing at him just so they could touch him (or something like that). It was so bad they starting taking out his hair, and soon enough his head became almost hairless! I then remember taking a look at Pappaw's large head, smooth with some bumps here and there, and then barely being able to contain my laughter as I look at all the lonely hairs  spread out on the top of his head. His story was crazy, but for so long, and even now (though I question its validity), still think that girls actually pulled his hair out! Aw, it's funny even thinking about it now. 
One of my last memories though, was about a week or so before when Pappaw called me up and texted me some photos of his crayon art! I just remember the gentleness he had, the innocence and joy, talking about something he knew I was into with me! I loved that so much, and right now I wish so badly that I could just spend time with him. I wish I could jump into his arms and feel the comfort of his arms around me, his scruffy beard, and the comforting smell of his cologne. I miss him so much. I know we all do though. He was such an amazing and interesting man. Frank David Sheffield is Loved - and he Loved, with the best of his ability, to everyone around him. I love you Pappaw. 

One thing that I will never forget about my Pappaw is every time we left from our trip he would always tear up.. Which always taught me to live in the moment and enjoy everything you are doing with the people around you, because you never truly know how much you miss them till they are gone.. Pappaw taught me to be in love with every breath I take and live life to the absolute fullest. This man has taught me some of the best life lessons and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

When I was going to be in the 6th grade my parents bought a house on Hillglen.  After about a week in the new house, a young good looking boy rode up on his bicycle and said "Hi, I'm David, do you live here?"  I said yes, and he asked if I had a bicycle and I said yes, and he asked if I wanted to take a ride, I said yes.   Man what a ride!! We became best friends.  He lived down the street and we spent many an hour talking, sharing our dreams, laughing, dancing.  Just being young crazy kids in the 60's.  
I can remember a group of us kids used to terrorize the grounds keeper at the Motley Mansion.  I'm surprised non of us got shot.  We would laugh for hours over the old man and Motley Mansion.
I missed him when he joined the Navy, but we still stayed in touch.  
Through our adult life, we remained good friends, and still shared our dreams.  
I will miss hearing his laugh and jokes.   I know we will see each other one day, and we can continue to take that ride.
RIP my good friend.  


I first became acquainted with David  ( never knew his first name was Frank ) at the Sears Service Center in Garland back in the early 80’s . We worked on different items and never together. He was an outside tech and I worked inside. Before I realized it I found myself enjoying and being drawn to his laugh and big old grin. He just always seemed to have a crowd around him when he came in the building to check in each morning.
David had a knack for stories and was one of those souls you get lucky sometimes to meet in life !.. David was a Vietnam veteran with whom I had much respect for. God is surely sharing one of David’s big warm grins with him now ❗️

David was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend and patriot.  If it was  made of sticks and bricks, David could build it. If it was mechanical,  David could make it new. When it came to his family, no hill was to high, no sacrifice to large and no burden to heavy.

David and I met when we were young service technicians beginning our careers at Sear Service Center in Garland.  We both had just bought homes and had young children.   We watched our parents age and our children become adults. We shared our successes and our failures.  To his family and other friends, I am truly sorry for your loss. 

Memories? I remember that 78 Ford truck he wore out hauling a camper to Arkansas and back. I remember David was always sharpening a knife. I remember us sharing a hot Miller High Life we found in the tool box on my truck.  The Monkey Fist he made for me 40 years ago hangs in my office today. I never thought he could be prouder than he was  when LaShawne and Johnny married in  that  intimate chapel by the house, or when Ethan went off to college.
But,  then the grandchildren began to arrive. He always had new pictures to share.

I remember David and Bill coming to my home, during a very dark time in my life. They convinced me, tomorrow the Sun would still rise in the East, and the next day, and the next day.

Before cell phones, we had  Motorola radios in our Sears trucks, we were radio dispatched. Sometimes, in the afternoon, the radio chatter would  be interrupted with a  Harmonica seranade . I can still hear him playing "The Streets of Larado".   

Happy trails, ya "Old Hippy". Till we met again. Happy trails.

I first met David when I got on the USS Canberra in 1966. We were assigned to the 4th Division and became friends. We worked together on the first cruise. On the second cruise I got transfer Bos'n Division and Dave stay in 4th Division and became a 3rd Class Bos'n Mate but we still stay friends. On the 3rd cruise Dave was transfer to 1st Division and I stay in Bos'n Division. I left the Navy in 1969. I lost touch with him for a while. But then through VVA Locator which is magazine that helps Servicemen find other Servicemen that they service with. I found Don Mathews and David. We have kept in touch ever since. By Emails with jokes and other interesting things. God Bless You David. I'll miss you.

Doug Fritsch

I met David back in September 1966 when I went aboard the USS Canberra in San Diego. We were both in 4th. Div. which was a deck div or Bos’n mates.  We found out we both were from Texas so be bonded fast. The div LPO, BM-2 Prater was from Texas so we had it made... I moved on into a gunners mate job but was still right there in 4th divs area so we visited all the time.  In Aug of 1968 I was transferred to a new job in the Navy and left the ship.  After I got out and was back home, I made a trip to Dallas and met up with him and Theresa for supper and for the last 54 years,  we have been great friends. Doing some fishing when we could and a hunting trip at a deer lease I was on for awhile. They opened up their home to me when I was in Dallas for my fourth and fifth back surgeries and was at the hospital checking up on me . He came to the rehab center many times as I learned how to basically walk again- he was and well always be my Navy Buddy. 
Fair winds and a Following Sea BM-3 Frank David Sheffield .
PS: You and Ken try and behave yourselves now that you two are back together again!!!

OBITUARY

Frank David Sheffield

11 July, 1947 – 24 June, 2020

Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home

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