David Larry Dees

"Gramps," as he was affectionately known to all, peacefully left this life and joined our Lord in Heaven on February 23, 2016 at the age of 91 in San Antonio, TX. Gramps was a part of the Greatest Generation, and like many of his age, this marks the end of an era that cannot be replaced. He was always absolutely unselfish with his time, money and love, and he was devoted to Jesus Christ our Savior for his entire life. Although Gramps will be greatly missed, his kind acts and gracious nature will remain forever.

Gramps was born in Dallas, TX on June 22, 1925, to Joseph Dees and Marion Bennett. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings Marion Mosley, Joe Dees, and Paul Dees. After growing up in the Oak Cliff borough of Dallas and graduating high school, he began college at the University of Texas in Austin in 1943 but was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944. He was trained as a radar tech and stationed in San Diego, CA until he was discharged in 1945 upon the surrender by Japan to end WWII. He went back to UT and not only graduated with a B.S. in engineering on August 29, 1948, but he met the love of his life, Joyce Spell of Shiro, TX.

Gramps married his UT sweetheart in March of 1948 and they almost celebrated their 68th anniversary next month. No other person was more important to Gramps than "Mimi," who he remained tirelessly devoted and personally cared for until his death. Their endless love for each other was special and eternal. Gramps began work for Sun Oil Company in 1949 in the exploration lab in their seismographic department as an electronic design engineer. In the 1960s, Gramps helped usher in the computer age working on giant mainframes with punch cards, and he remained a techie until he bought his last PC a year ago. He retired as manager of their computer division in 1988.

Gramps was active in the First Baptist Church of Beaumont, TX where he was a Deacon and assisted with their television and radio broadcasts. He also was a Deacon at First Baptist Church of Plano, TX where he and Mimi helped the youth and senior ministries, and he was a member at Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Tyler, TX. Gramps supported ministries and missions all over the U.S. and world throughout his life.

Gramps loved dark roast coffee, cross word puzzles, and he had a penchant for Ford Model T's and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Mimi and Gramps raised three wonderful children who he deeply loved. He is survived by his wife Joyce Dees, daughter Joy Jackson, daughter Judy Steele, and son Larry Dees. He is also survived by grandchildren Michael McQueen, Holly Goodwin, Robin Gerhardt, Brian Dees, Stephen Dees, Tarah Dees, and great-grandchildren Carson and Vivien Goodwin. We love you and will miss you Gramps!

The family invites friends to join them for a visitation at Porter Loring North between 6-8 pm on Friday, February 26, 2016. He will be buried in a private ceremony at Red Top Cemetery outside of Shiro, TX.