David Scott Grese

David Scott Grese was born on August 16, 1949, in Dallas, Texas to Betty Scott and A. Hank Grese. He grew up as big brother to Stephen and with a large extended family who all named him their favorite cousin. In college, he met Gaylan Fowler in Springfield, Missouri before spending 3 years in the US Army in the Radio Research Service, including one year deployed in Vietnam. Upon his return to the US, he married Gaylan, and went on to graduate from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in Marketing and Finance.

David had a successful career in corporate sales before he and Gaylan started their Phoenix-based printing business, Biltmore Graphics, in 1991. Together, they raised two kids, Whitney and Scott. Although he traveled often for work while his kids were little, he delighted them with their own mini bottles of shampoo, and ensured weekend mornings were spent with donuts and cartoons. David would say he never wanted a dog, but he was the best dog parent to Dodi, Oliver, and Sam. He took the family on many camping vacations over the years. An avid outdoorsman, he also went camping, hiking, and fishing on his own, often accompanied by Oliver.

After retiring, David and Gaylan moved to Humble, Texas in 2019. They became a vital support to grandsons Vaughan and Taren. David was known as Dada D to the boys and could always be counted on for a ride on the tractor, a game at the kitchen table, or a buddy with whom to watch TV, even if they didn’t choose one of his favorite Westerns. Throughout his life, David was generous. He encouraged Gaylan in her hobbies, restaurant servers were always told early in a meal that he would be getting the bill, and his kids never left home without a full tank of gas.

A graveside service will take place on June 11 at 2:00 pm at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Sayers, Texas, where David will be laid to rest alongside his parents, Betty and Hank, and his brother, Stephen. He is survived by wife Gaylan, daughter Whitney and son Scott, sons-in-law Craig and Jonathon, and grandsons Vaughan and Taren.

David was fiercely protective; he never chose the easy path if he felt there was another which better protected his family or his business. His life ended after a multi-year battle with Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 6 on June 1, 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Ataxia Foundation at https://www.ataxia.org/ways-to-give/. Thank you so much for your support and generosity.