David Coward

David Raymond Coward

May 28, 1949 - September 29, 2021

I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  II Timothy 4:7

David Raymond Coward was born May 28, 1949, in Corpus Christi, TX to Chester Raymond & Dorothy Margaret Coward.  After his father died when he was 4 years old, his Mother moved the family to Houston, TX.  There he was lovingly raised by his mother, sister Sunny, Aunt Jeannie & Grandmother Carmen.  For the rest of his life he had great respect and empathy for single mothers.

He met Charlene Green after a football game in 1966.  They married on August 16, 1968, and just celebrated 53 wonderful years together.

David enlisted in the US Coast Guard during the Vietnam War.  He spent 4 years in service to his country.

David was a true native Texas cowboy.  He never wanted to travel overseas, would reluctantly travel out of state, but would travel anywhere in Texas if Charlene planned the details.  When the grandkids needed help with Texas history - they knew who to call!

After his military service, he attended Blinn College and Texas A&M pursuing a teaching career.  He found his true calling in the oilfield in 1981 and retired in 2012.  He worked for various companies but also owned his own businesses - he liked to say he “had a little sideline”.  He was an entrepreneur who always had his eye on the future and the big picture - again, Charlene handled the details & finances so they could pursue their dreams. This resulted in many loud discussions!  He loved and enjoyed retirement, and he was busier than ever!

He owned Redfish Bay Cottage in Aransas Pass, TX for many years.  He loved to garden and landscape his home and the cottage.  People would stop by the cottage just to look at his big beautiful garden there.  He & Charlene opened their backyard for the Hummer/Bird tours for 25 years.

Three years ago, he realized a lifelong dream of owning a ranch and having his own herd of cattle.  He loved that ranch and enjoyed the fellowship of his family while teaching them so many life skills.  Everyone has a Papa David story!  He was so proud of his children and grandchildren!

David was a faithful servant of God.  He was a member & served as an elder of the Ingleside Church of Christ.  He was a song leader, Bible Class Teacher and general all around fix-it or get-it-fixed man.

David fought cancer for a year and wanted very much to live to be a part if his grandchildren’s lives.  However, the side effects of the immunotherapy were too much for his body to overcome.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Charlene; daughter Wendy Gomez & her husband Martin; son Chris Coward & his wife Amber; the true lights of his life were his grandchildren - Victoria & Chloe Gomez, Vallerie, Jordan, Chase & Chance Coward.  He was blessed with 4 step-grandchildren - Garrett, Brianna, Kerstynn & Kaleb and 2 great-grandchildren.  His sister Sunny Snyder & her children survive him as well as his sister-in-law & brother-in-law Darlene & George Prochaska & their children.

David was a simple man who preferred boots, jeans & cowboy hats.  Please feel free to dress western for his memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial gifts to the Ingleside Church of Christ, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch or Sunny Glen Children’s Home.  These were near & dear to David’s heart.  We will miss him the rest of our lives - 'til we meet again.

Services for David will include a visitation from 3 pm-7 pm, Monday, October 4, 2021.  Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 2 with burial to follow.  Visitation and the service will both take place at Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes at the Rockport location, 814 E Main Street, Rockport Texas.

Pallbearers include Chris Coward, Jordan Coward, Kerstynn Meyer, Martin Gomez, Victoria Gomez & Chloe Gomez.  Gary Thompson will be conducting David's service.