Charles Hayden David

Charles Hayden David, of Mart, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at age 86. Visitation will be Thursday, April 12, 2012, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Mart Cemetery, with Reverend Gary Kreder of the First Baptist Church of Mart officiating. Charles was born on July 4, 1925, to Guy Pleasant David and Mozell (Jarrard) David in rural Limestone County, and attended school in Mart. Charles was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U. S. Air Force from 1942 through 1946. He served in the South Pacific, and was a flight engineer on the B-24 aircraft as well as a top turret gunner. Charles was united in marriage with Katie Phillips on July 29, 1949 in Mart. They lived in the Mart area all their life, and he farmed and raised cattle, in addition to his other employment. After his military service, Charles had worked with his Dad as a carpenter for awhile, then began his career at James Connally Air Force Base repairing propeller driven aircraft. When the industry changed to jet engine, he was prepared for the new work from night courses he had taken. When the Connally Base closed in the mid-1960’s, Charles moved right into a career at General Dynamics in the carpentry department. He later transferred to the Veterans Hospital in Waco, where he was foreman in the carpentry shop until his retirement in 1993. Charles had many skills, actually was a “jack-of-all-trades” in carpentry, welding, and mechanical repairs. Being an industrious worker, he stayed busy either on the job, or for his family, and many repairs for his friends and neighbors, as well as raising a big garden. Charles was also very active in the First Baptist Church in Mart, where he was a member. He and a friend did many repairs when needed at the building,and he also served on the accounting committee. He loved his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew him. Mr. David was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Tommie Gillam and brother-in-law, Bill Gillam. He is survived by his wife, Katie David of Mart; son and daughter-in-law, Roy and Nancy David of Spring; granddaughter and husband, Jaymi and Tim Dowdy of Lipan; grandson and wife, Craig and Carmen David of Bedford; great grandsons, Ryder David and Brayden Dowdy of Lipan; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Jackie David of Granbury; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Martha and Jack Holder of Mart; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.