David Fredrick David

David Fredrick David, 80, of Abilene, TX passed away peacefully on May 8, 2017 while in the care of his family in Colorado Springs, CO after a long-running battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on December 8, 1936 to Kermit and Aline David at their home in Church Point, LA. David graduated from Church Point High School and then obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. In 1960, he married Maria Del Refugio Velasquez of Laredo, TX, in Austin, TX.

Capt. David served honorably for 15 years as an officer in the USAF, and he answered the call during the tumultuous times of the Cold War. He worked at the NSA during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and he was deployed on a tour to Vietnam and numerous overseas deployments to Europe, Asia, and Southeast Asia. Captain David was a decorated Cold Warrior. He earned numerous awards, including the Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and in 1974, an Honorable Discharge. After the war, he returned to civilian life and went back to college, earning a MBA from Hardin Simmons University, in Abilene, TX, while he worked as a computer programmer at Dyess AFB, TX. He later worked as a Computer System Analyst for the City of Abilene until his retirement. He loved the peaceful life he found in Abilene, where he lived happily for forty-two years with his beautiful wife, Maria. David was a loving father to three children and a grandfather to ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He enjoyed travel with Maria, and they would often drive across the country to visit family and friends. A devout Catholic all his life; David was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Abilene, TX, and at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, CO. He loved computers and taught computer programming at McMurry University in Abilene, and at Midland College, in Midland TX. David was a deep thinker; he loved the peace and beauty of the outdoors and enjoyed long quiet walks every evening. Unfortunately, his long walks ended too soon. He was diagnosed by his physicians at the Veterans Administration to have acquired Parkinson’s Disease because of the cumulative effects of his exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam. Despite this affliction he maintained his special warmth, grace, and self-deprecating sense of humor through it all. In his final days, he was heard to say “Well, it has been quite an experience.” A true gentleman, his calm and gentle manner put one at ease and was extended to everyone he met. David was dearly loved and admired by all who knew him. His graceful presence will be sorely missed.

A loving husband and father, David Fredrick David is survived by his spouse, Maria David; children, Conrad David, Marie David; Grandchildren: Anne Pratzner, Ian David, Jillian Pratzner, Hannah David, Sarah David, Paul David, Nathan David, Gabriel David, and Lauren David; great-grandchildren, Cadon David, Clarissa David, Laken David, Moira Robertson, Liam Robertson, and Nola Robertson; siblings, James David, Douglas David, Mary David, and Paul David. He is predeceased by his son, Michael Paul David and grandson, Austin Dale David. Visitation will be Monday, May 15, 2017 from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 6:00p.m. at Eliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Highway 277 South, Abilene, TX. Funeral services will be 11:00a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 837 Jeanette St. on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 with Rev. Msgr. Robert Bush officiating. Burial will be in Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 7457 W Lake Rd., Abilene, TX at 1:00p.m. on Tuesday. The family will have a reception at David and Maria’s Home immediately following the internment. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

The Catholic Charitable Foundation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo http://www.catholicfoundationsanangelo.org/

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliott-hamil.com

"I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4:7