David K. Panter, age 69, passed away July 9, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 6, 1952. He is survived by his wife Debra Niemeyer; sister, Edith Koleszar and husband Richard; children, Christy Padgett and husband Bobbie, Erin Freshwater and husband Edward; Ryan Panter and granddaughter, Daycee Panter; brother-in-law, Christopher Niemeyer and wife Jana.
Reverend Panter, Master Sergeant, retired, was a 21-year Air Force veteran, serving from 1970-1991. His last assignment was as 655th Tactical Hospital First Sergeant and Superintendent, Environmental Health Services, 475th Medical Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan. During his career he also served as a flight line mechanic, crew chief, federal investigator and with Special Forces (Delta). His combat service included Vietnam and Grenada; additionally, he served during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following military retirement, he obtained a Masters Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Criminal Justice, and became an ordained Minister. He taught at several colleges, was Director of Safety and Security as U.S., Department of Labor, Job Corps, worked as a Department of Defense Contractor, and served the local community in various capacities, to include as Commissioner, Emergency Services District 2, and as an American Legion Commander. He also served as an Emergency Services Chaplin, Chaplin for Citizens on Patrol, and other organizations, to include the U.S. Rangers, and the Forty & Eight.
Visitation will be at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road, San Antonio, Texas 78238 on Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. A funeral service will be conducted at 12:00 P.M. Friday, August 6, 2021 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with U.S. Air Force honors.
Donations may be made to the following organizations, St. Joseph’s Indian School, www.stjo.org/jul or Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, wildlife.rescue.org or Humane Society of Bexar County, https://sahumane.org/
