David S. Waters

Dave was born in January 1949 in Daytona Beach, Florida to Henry and Margaret Waters. He enlisted in the US Navy as an electronics technician on the US Hamner Destroyer from 1967 to 1971. Following the Navy, he worked at Bendix Field Engineering as a hydraulics service technician during the Apollo XV Space Program. He was later employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as a communications technician, stationed at Barstow, CA.

In 1976, he began a long and successful career at Los Alamos National Laboratory as an electronics technician. He contributed to the mission of the lab in areas including Robotics, the Radio Shop, and Weapons. Dave retired after 35 years from the lab to pursue his interests and hobbies in Albuquerque, NM. Dave loved to ride his bicycle, hike, tinker around the house, soak in his hot tub, volunteer in the neighborhood watch. He especially loved giving his daughter, Savannah, advice about cars, the importance of financial security, but most of all about their shared love of Florida. In 2012, after the retirement of his wife Carol, they moved to the Austin area to be closer to their children and granddaughters.  

Dave could never sit still too long and always had a project or plan. He spent countless hours working on his yard or maintaining his pool. He planned and hiked the Appalachian Trail with his brother Chuck, and rode his scooter on the Natchez Trail. He and Carol loved to travel in their RV with stops at the casinos. They loved being close to the grandkids, but missed the mountains of New Mexico and traveled back frequently. Dave also volunteered with the Georgetown Parks Department, as a park ranger, the Georgetown Police Department on fleet maintenance, and at the Santa Rosa de Lima Food Pantry.   

Dave had an infectious smile that radiated throughout his life. He never met a stranger - just someone who he couldn’t remember their name or possibly that they looked like someone that he knew. He found his faith in God later in life and just recently was welcomed into the Catholic community. This ended up being one of Dave’s most cherished accomplishments. His endless love and faith in God gave him the strength to fight his cancer to the end.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Christine and brother Henry. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Carol; brother Charles (Alice); daughter Savannah Brochu (Kyle); and stepson Brandon Rich (Luika) and granddaughters Payton, Ryan, and Blake.  

A rosary will be held prior to the funeral at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church, Andice, Texas.  The funeral mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in New Smyrna Beach at a later date.  A memorial in his honor is established for the Santa Rosa de Lima Food Pantry, 6571 FM 970, Andice, TX  76527.