As a young boy, the family moved to Seadrift, Texas, where his family was from. David graduated from the last class of Port Lavaca High School in 1955. After graduation, David joined the United States Navy at age 17 because of his passion for boats and boating. He was stationed on the USS Begor after graduating from boot camp and sonar school. David spent his military career of 3 years on this ship and was honorably discharged on October 31, 1958. Upon returning to Seadrift, David registered at A&I University in Kingsville, Texas after working for Bauer Dredging Co.
In May 1960 the love of his life showed up and they were married June 27, 1960, and were married for almost 64 years. He again worked for Bauer Dredging Co. and was the youngest Captain on one of their dredges at the time. After several dredges, his career took him to the East Coast, where he was on several dredges out of the Local 25 Union in New York, and finally ended up on the dredge Eagle I for Bean Dredging Corp. He was on the Eagle I for 20 years, and during this time, he dredged out of the country, and up and down the East Coast.
During his career, David earned several licenses for different types of navigation. Of all the licenses, the most important to him was his Master of All Ocean and Tonnage license. After retiring in 2000, David returned to Seadrift.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Sherry Ann Worley Dierlam, two daughters; Tanya Dierlam Cady (Woody), and Regina Dierlam Martinez (Julian), sons; Vaughn Dierlam (Celeste), Shawn Dierlam (Jennifer), and Damon Dierlam (Shari), eighteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and will be missed by all.
Honoring him by serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, and honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, from 5-7 pm at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home in Port Lavaca. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 10 am at First Assembly of God in Seadrift, Texas, immediately followed by interment in Seadrift Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Assembly of God, 501 S. Second Street, Seadrift, Texas 77983.
Words of comfort, condolences, and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.
