August 25, 1952 - July 30, 2022
Edgecliff Village, Texas – David Charles Fulkerson, devoted husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend passed away on July 30, 2022 following a brief decline due to complications from colon cancer.
He was born on August 25, 1952 in Vernon, Texas, but grew up in Dallas and graduated from the Greenhill School, where his mother taught English and Texas History. David received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Texas – Permean Basin, his master’s in Psychology as well as his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from UCLA, and his MBA from University of Dallas. He was the Chief Engineer for the Human Factors Lab of General Dynamics and later worked on the FX-F2 Japan Program of Lockheed Martin. He retired in 2012.
David is survived by his wife Patricia, son Justin Fulkerson and daughter-in-law Kourtney Donohue, daughter Jessica Fulkerson and son-in-law Patrick Cahn, grandchildren Sophie and Kyl Schulman-Cahn, dachshund Chocula, cat Macy, and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert Webster Fulkerson, Sr., mother Mildred (Handly), brothers Robert and Michael Fulkerson, and sister Elizabeth Parish.
David dedicated his life to his family. He was a giver of gifts, a selfless host, and the most loyal of friends. He shared his love and gentle stewardship of animals, especially dogs, to his children and grandchildren. His vast knowledge and his warm smile will both be missed immensely.
In many ways, David lived and died on his own terms. Despite the short prognosis, the pain, and heavy medication in his final months, he was never bitter or rude to anyone. Instead, he focused on making sure his loved ones knew how much they were loved. David also smoked cigarettes and drank Dr. Pepper until about 2 weeks before he died, stopping only because he was physically unable to do so anymore. And he passed away in his sleep, at home in his recliner, with his family by his side.
There will be a funeral mass at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Fort Worth (3312 Dryden Rd.) on Monday, August 22, at 12:30pm, followed by a Rite of Inurnment at Laurel Land Cemetery in Fort Worth (7100 Crowley Rd.). There will also be a larger, secular, and more joyful Celebration of Life in the spring (date TBD).
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that contributions be made to Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church (omomftworth.org), the Southwest Indian Foundation (southwestindian.com), or the Humane Society of North Texas (hsnt.org).
