David Randolph Choate, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2014 in Houston, Texas. David Randolph, known to most as Randy, was born in Beaumont, Texas September 16, 1936, the oldest son of Owen David Choate and Anita Muriel Choate. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen David Choate and Anita Muriel Choate, and by his brother Kent Owen Choate.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Gail Kilgarlin Choate, his daughter Shannon Choate Chapman, her husband David and their children Angela Chapman and Patrick Chapman, by his son David Brian Choate, his wife Hollie and their children Tyler Randolph Choate, Cory Malone Choate, and Sean Brian Choate. He is also survived by his brother Jimmy Brian Choate, his wife Ann, and their son Royce Choate, his wife Angie and their daughter Haley Choate as well as niece Kristi Choate and her partner Johnna Jenkins.
Randy graduated from Galena Park High School in 1955 and directly joined the United States Air Force where he served as jet aircraft mechanic from 1955-1966. His career with the Air Force gave him the opportunity to be stationed on many interesting bases around the world including North Africa, England, Alaska, and various other bases in the United States. These destinations spurred his lifelong love of hunting and fishing. On his weekends he became a hunting guide in Alaska guiding trips for bear and caribou. Upon his return to his home state of Texas, Randy became a tournament bass fisherman competing and garnering many tournament wins. He was a member of a Masonic Lodge where he received his 32nd degree, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. He and wife Gail were also involved in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for a number of years serving on the Corral Committee.
After his retirement from the Air Force, Randy went to work for a NASA contractor and was one of a few select team members on the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle and other projects. When the Lunar project ended he become Supervisor of Aircraft Maintenance for astronaut aircraft. Randy and his brother Jimmy later opened Choate Machine and Fabrication providing services to many Houston and Bay Area businesses.
Randy and wife Gail retired to Galveston, Texas in 1990 and became active members of their close knit Bay Harbor community. Randy served as President of their Home Owners Association and he lent his cooking skills to heading up the Association BBQ's for almost 20 years. During his retirement Randy enjoyed many days of fishing with his brother, son, grandsons and nephew. Randy kept his technical and mechanical skills sharp by working part time in Moody Garden's IMAX Theater as a projectionist during its first years of operation. In recent years, he developed a talent for painting in his art room and crafting outdoor beach decor. He had a gift for turning a piece of driftwood into a work of art.
Randy and Gail always enjoyed hosting parties in their beach home, serving their community and friends. He loved to cook, share wine in the evenings on the deck, and ride on the beach with their beloved Irish Setter dogs. He also relished spending time at his son's ranch in Burton, Texas sitting around a camp fire, fishing or riding on an ATV.
Friends are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, April 8 from four o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale in Houston.
The memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday, April 9 at two-thirty in the afternoon in the Forest Park Lawndale Chapel where the Rev. Dr. David Meadows is to officiate. Interment will be immediately following the memorial service.
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