David Howard Bashford

David Howard Bashford was born February 16th, 1934, to Roxy (Alice) Spears and Howard Bashford in Rusk County Texas. He was raised in Borger Tx until his high school years where his family moved to Stamford Texas. In high school David was a leader in sports and the classroom. He was captain of a winning football team (under Gordon Wood), President of the senior class and state champion shot putter and discus thrower among other sports he participated in. But most importantly David met the love of his life in Stamford, Dian Neal.

After graduation David attended the University of Texas and also participated in ROTC and track.  His freshman summer he proposed to Dian, and they eloped shortly before heading back to Austin. David graduated with a petroleum engineering degree in 1957. Upon graduation he was employed by Amerada Hess which moved them all over including New Mexico, Oklahoma (1st daughter Martha born), Louisiana and North Dakota (2nd daughter - Holly born) and also sent him to Libya for a short period.

With so many years of moving and having a young family, David decided to return to Texas and make their home in Abilene.  He did consulting work, until he started his own oil and gas company in the 1970's with his Uncle-in-law. David continued in the oil business for the next 40 plus years. David loved it and the oil business was his passion.

He was a wonderful father and loved his family dearly. He was also a loving grandfather and was especially close to his oldest grandson, Jesse.

David was very generous and very much a servant to the Lord. He was very active in his church and community until his later years. David received the golden deed award in 1993.  David loved tennis and he was quite competitive in all that he did.  He always loved long country drives and the expansive skies and beautiful clouds.  He had a quirky sense of humor, always asking no matter the season “Do you think it's going to snow?”

David is preceded in death by his parents, sister Jackie Gaertner and wife Dian of 67 years. He is survived by his daughters Martha Plava and Holly (Robert) Joyce and grandchildren, Jesse Bacherini and Skylar, Calvin and Samantha Joyce, great grandchildren Elizabeth (Lizzi), Kiara, David and Landon Bacherini and one great great grandson Braxton.

David will be very much missed.

A graveside service will be on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery on FM 600 near Avoca, also known as the Ericksdahl Swede Cemetery, under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street.