The Rev. Loy David England Sr. Captain

The Rev. Loy David “Dave” England, Sr., Captain, USN (Ret.) Loy David “Dave” England, Sr. died on Sunday, November 4, 2007, in Austin, Texas. The eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Loy D England, Dave was born on March 11, 1931 in Texarkana, Arkansas, and was raised in Magnolia, Arkansas. He was active in St. James Episcopal Church in Magnolia, as well as Boy Scouts. After graduating from Magnolia High School, he attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, where he was a member of the Canterbury Episcopal Student Center. Dave continued his studies at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1953, with a major in Physics. At the University of Arkansas, he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Dave entered Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Newport, Rhode Island in late 1953. Upon graduation from OCS, he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. Receiving extensive training in New Mexico and Arizona, Dave was among the first nuclear weapons officers in the Navy. He was stationed in Coronado, California and served the Pacific Fleet during the end of the Korean conflict and took a tour through the Far East aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) aircraft carrier. On December 31, 1955, Dave married Margaret Penelope “Penny” Carson at St. James Episcopal Church in Texarkana, Texas. Following his completion of active duty with the Navy, Penny and Dave moved to Texas. They lived briefly in Ft. Worth before settling in Austin in 1957 so Dave could attend the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. He earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1960. Dave began working for Texas Nuclear Corporation and continued his education at The University of Texas at Austin, where he was awarded a Master of Science degree in Mathematics. In the early 1970s, Dave made another career move to Texas state government, assisting with the early use of computer technology in the Governor’s Office. He then moved to Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS), ultimately serving as Deputy Commissioner for Information Systems. During his tenure at TDHS, Dave led the effort to computerize the state’s welfare system and create the WelNet program. He was sought out as a lecturer in computer information technology, both nationally and internationally. During these years, Dave continued his naval service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, commanding six Naval Reserve Units before his retirement in 1985 at the rank of Captain. Dave was instrumental in the establishment of the first mine warfare countermeasures unit on the Texas Gulf Coast. The technology he and his unit helped develop was a predecessor for future U.S. Navy mine warfare efforts. During his Navy career, he received the Navy Commendation Medal twice. Dave decided to pursue ordination in the Episcopal Church and was ordained to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood in 1974 at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Blanco. He served as vicar of St. Michael and All Angels until 1988. He became active in the life of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas and served as a counselor and teacher to many. In 1973, Penny and Dave moved to Manor, where they enjoyed restoring their turn-of-the-century Victorian home. Dave was also active in the Austin Chapter of the Navy League and the Downtown Rotary Club of Austin. He was instrumental in the Texas Association of State Supported Computer Centers (TASSCC), now the Texas Association for State Systems for Computing and Communications, for which he served three consecutive terms as president, from 1985 to 1988. TASSCC later named an award in his honor, the Dave England Award, which recognized leadership and excellence in information technology in state government. Dave accepted the position of Director of Computing Services at Texas A&M University in 1988, and he and Penny moved to College Station, until his retirement in 1996. At Texas A&M, Dave oversaw the computing systems and information technology for the university and successfully instituted many new programs. Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Margaret Penelope Carson “Penny” England; his parents, Loy D and Natalie Williams England; and a niece, Stacey Carson Jordan. Dave is survived by his four children: Natalie England of Austin; Lucretia Elizabeth and husband Robert Miller of Austin; Margaret Claire England of Austin; and Loy David England, Jr. and wife Joy of Georgetown. Dave is also survived by his first grandchild, Emily Grace England of Georgetown. Dave is survived by his brother, Shelby Williams England and wife Nancy of Cedar Hill, Texas; his niece Robin England Allen and husband Clay; niece Kimberly Cecilia England; nephew David Michael England; and nephew Charles Randall England. Dave is also survived by his brother-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Carson, Jr. and wife Jane of Greenville, South Carolina; brother-in-law Edward Hale Dickie Carson and wife Jacqi of Burlington, North Carolina; sister-in-law Catherine Carson Ellis and husband Ralph of Las Vegas, Nevada; and brother-in-law John Winchester Carson, Sr. and wife Jo Beth of Maud, Texas; as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, November 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin. A funeral service celebrating Dave’s life will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin on Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 am. Dave’s ashes will be interred at a later date next to his beloved wife in the Columbarium at St. David’s Episcopal Church. Dave’s family wishes to thank the many family and friends who assisted them throughout Dave’s illness. The family would also like to extend their sincere appreciation to the staff of Arden Courts Assisted Living and Park Bend Nursing Center for their loving and attentive care for Dave. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Dave’s memory to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 218 Pittsburg Street, Blanco, Texas 78606; or to the charity of your choice. To all those who knew Dave, the England family joins with you in giving thanks for his remarkable life and achievements. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com