David Charles McCarble

David Charles McCarble, age 85, a lifetime resident of Houston, Texas, went to sleep Saturday night and did not wake again early Sunday morning, November 29, 2020 while visiting family in Rose Hill, Kansas.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects at the funeral home from 12pm-8pm Sunday, December 6, with the family present to greet friends from 2-4pm. A private ceremony to celebrate David’s charmed life will be held at 11:00am Monday, December 7, 2020. Those wishing to observe a live stream of the ceremony may visit the Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home Facebook page at 11:00am. Prior to the ceremony, David will be laid to rest with his late wife Mary at the Forest Park Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

David was born on July 13, 1935 in Houston, Texas, the first child of Edward B. McCarble, and Lucille “Lucy” (Jamail) McCarble. David came into this world full of smiles and a zeal for life. As a child, he was mischievous, well-loved by his family and extended family and highly intelligent. David’s IQ was tested to be 153. He excelled in school and had a great sense of humor, but maintained a quiet and humble disposition throughout life. David enjoyed writing beautiful poetry, writing songs, singing tunes and perfecting his calligraphy. With impeccable penmanship, David could write many different fonts by hand, appearing to be done by a machine, his favorite being Old English. He was truly an artist in many ways.

David had a passion for food, especially Lebanese food, which his beloved grandmother fed and spoiled him with every day of his childhood. He later, as an adult, prepared that same amazing cuisine for anyone and everyone he could. He prepared food with precision, great care and love. Accompanied with his typical grin and laugh, good food was described with his favorite saying: “This food will make your tongue slap your brains out.” David loved to please others, and what better way than to prepare an amazing meal for someone else to enjoy.

He attended Hogg Junior High and Reagan High School in Houston, TX, graduating in 1953. After high school, David attended the University of Houston where he earned a degree in civil engineering. Following college, David attended real estate classes, acquiring a real estate broker’s license, and he also joined the Air Force Reserves, serving his country for eight years.

His civil engineering education was put to work for Houston Lighting and Power Co. now known as Reliant Energy, where David worked for 36 years before retiring. Along the way, he used his broker’s license for many real estate investments here in Houston. In addition to working as a civil engineer for HL&P, he was also a loaned executive for the United Way for nearly 20 years. David gave many speeches for the United Way encouraging thousands to help people in need. Following early retirement at HL&P, David worked the next 26 years as a legal videographer for his son Tim McCarble where he met many clients and colleagues, who adored and admired his charm and wit. David’s professional career consisted of 62 years collectively.

David briefly met his late wife Mary Lucille Darnell, at an Elvis Hayride in 1955 and later reconnected with her at Houston Lighting and Power (HL&P) where they ran into each other in an elevator; each working for the same company, but different departments. They soon began dating and were married on October 13, 1957 in Houston, TX. Their marriage was blessed with four children. David and Mary celebrated 47 years of marriage and were able to enjoy sharing the youthful days of their grandchildren. David was devastated when Mary passed away in 2004.

A conversation about Mary’s passing between David’s son and Martha’s son opened a door to a developing friendship with a widow from Kansas. Martha (Lowrimore) Riley and David were married on June 24, 2006 in Houston, TX, with David lovingly accepting her four children and their families. David and Martha’s faith drew them together and continued to be an example for all to see during the next 14 years, or in their terms, “5,272 days.” Martha was a blessing to David during his last years keeping him in excellent health and loved him immensely. They had a special loving relationship, setting a wonderful example of marriage.

Faith was a foundational component of David’s life. He was active in the Church of God, A Worldwide Assoc., and had given a sermon in the Wichita, Kansas congregation the Sabbath afternoon before his passing. David was ordained an Elder in 1990, serving brethren faithfully in both deed and prayer, ministering to others at any opportunity given. This foundation of faith inspired David to be a man of love. He loved everybody and enjoyed the company and laughter of others. His jovial disposition always welcomed a joke, even if it was on him. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, as they were all loved deeply by him. David was an inspiration to anyone who knew him as well as a Christian example of selfless love and devotion to all.

Survivors include his beloved wife Martha McCarble of the home, adored sisters: Deanna Clatworthy of Escondido, CA, Sylvia Franklin and husband Dale of Katy, TX; cherished children: David McCarble, Jr., of Houston, TX, Anthony McCarble of Conroe, TX, Therese Garner and companion Rob Rowe of Houston, TX, Timothy McCarble and wife Melissa, of Houston, TX, Sara Burton and husband Eric of Rose Hill, KS, Mark Riley and wife Erin of Ponca City, OK, Leigha Mendez and husband Arnold of Kalispell, MT, Abi Orosz and husband Ryan of Houston, TX: treasured grandchildren: Taelor McDermott and husband Tynan, Brittany McCarble and husband Zane Roze, Cara Stogner and husband Joe, Angela McCarble, Timothy McCarble II, David McCarble III, Isabella McCarble, Jessica McCarble and husband Brian Lara, Anthony McCarble II, Garrett McCarble, Parker McCarble, Riley Burton, Lauren Burton, Joel Riley, Simon Riley, Elise Riley, Mattie Mendez, Annie Mendez, Maverick Mendez, Cooper Mendez, Elijah Orosz, and Asher Orosz; 5 great grandchildren: Lathe McDermott, Rhodes McDermott, Alana Lara, Joseph Lara, Ava Stogner and soon to be born Isaac Edward Stogner as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents and wife Mary.