David Lee Small died peacefully on Thursday, August 27, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Small was born on December 25, 1933, in West Allis, Wisconsin.
He grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1952.
He married Donna Coppedge on May 26, 1973. They were blessed with a wonderful life together, enjoying travel and spending time with family and friends. His four grandchildren, to whom he was PaPa, were the delight of his life and thought he could do anything. He taught them much about life, family, patience and courage.
Mr. Small attended Hibbard High School in Chicago, IL and the University of North Texas.
"Chief" Small served 27 years in the US Navy. He was in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars and served on multiple ships, including the Blue and the USS Lexington and was a member of the Ancient Order of Tailhookers. He also served two years as a US Navy Recruiter in Denton. He never tired of "Navy talk" with friends over a good cup of coffee. He retired from the Navy in 1973. He later worked for the USPS for 13 years, retiring from there in 1992.
Mr. Small was a member of the US Navy Reserve, Fleet Reserve, Post Office Union, Romeo Coffee Group, MADD, and a Lifetime Member of VFW Post 2205, and an "official" member of the Die-Hard Cubs Club and an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Denton, where he was part of the Sterling Smith Life Group.
He was preceded in death by his parents Delmer and Betty Small, brothers Del and Don Small, and sisters Nancy Shields and Lucille Hostler.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna Coppedge Small; daughter and son-in-law, Cary and Amy Brisco Duggan of Denton, Texas; four grandchildren, Timothy Duggan of Ada, OK, Melanie Duggan of Denton, Bradley Duggan of Tyler, and Alyssa Duggan of Lubbock. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Cliff and Kathy Barnhart of Crested Butte, CO; special cousins, Tim and Mike Shields and Chris and Karen Browne, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Don Samuelson, Charles McKee, Ray Lewis, Jack Howell, Arvie Young, Cliff Barnhart, and Colin Barnhart and Honorary Pallbearers are Gerald Cardwell, Timothy Duggan Bradley Duggan, Cary Duggan, Chris Browne, Mike Shields, Tim Shields, and Derv Hudgens.
David Lee Small died peacefully on Thursday, August 27, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Small was born on December 25, 1933, in West Allis, Wisconsin.
He grew up in Chicago, IL and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1952.
He married Donna Coppedge on May 26, 1973. They were blessed with a wonderful life together, enjoying travel and spending time with family and friends. His four grandchildren, to whom he was PaPa, were the delight of his life and thought he could do anything. He taught them much about life, family, patience and courage.
Mr. Small attended Hibbard High School in Chicago, IL and the University of North Texas.
"Chief" Small served 27 years in the US Navy. He was in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars and served on multiple ships, including the Blue and the USS Lexington and was a member of the Ancient Order of Tailhookers. He also served two years as a US Navy Recruiter in Denton. He never tired of "Navy talk" with friends over a good cup of coffee. He retired from the Navy in 1973. He later worked for the USPS for 13 years, retiring from there in 1992.
Mr. Small was a member of the US Navy Reserve, Fleet Reserve, Post Office Union, Romeo Coffee Group, MADD, and a Lifetime Member of VFW Post 2205, and an "official" member of the Die-Hard Cubs Club and an avid Green Bay Packers fan. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Denton, where he was part of the Sterling Smith Life Group.
He was preceded in death by his parents Delmer and Betty Small, brothers Del and Don Small, and sisters Nancy Shields and Lucille Hostler.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna Coppedge Small; daughter and son-in-law, Cary and Amy Brisco Duggan of Denton, Texas; four grandchildren, Timothy Duggan of Ada, OK, Melanie Duggan of Denton, Bradley Duggan of Tyler, and Alyssa Duggan of Lubbock. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Cliff and Kathy Barnhart of Crested Butte, CO; special cousins, Tim and Mike Shields and Chris and Karen Browne, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Don Samuelson, Charles McKee, Ray Lewis, Jack Howell, Arvie Young, Cliff Barnhart, and Colin Barnhart and Honorary Pallbearers are Gerald Cardwell, Timothy Duggan Bradley Duggan, Cary Duggan, Chris Browne, Mike Shields, Tim Shields, and Derv Hudgens.
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