David graduated as Class Valedictorian from Sulphur High School in 1953. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Oklahoma A&M in 1957. He was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Zeta (Honorary Agriculture Fraternity) and Omicron Delta Kappa (Men’s Service Organization).
In 1960, David received his Bachelors of Law Degree from the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity, and served as President and Treasurer.
He began his professional career in 1960 as Staff Attorney for the Oklahoma Dept. of Highways.
He served as a member of the active Duty & Military Reserve (U.S. Army, National Guard and Air Force), graduating U.S. Army Basic Training and Army Finance School. He was activated in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and received an Honorable Discharge in 1964 as a Staff Sergeant.
Entering into Private Law Practice from 1961 to 1979, David began General Law Practice in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the firm of Lunn & Ferguson, eventually evolving into Luton, Lunn, Ferguson & Hudson.
In 1964, he moved to practice with the firm of Hirsh & Harkin in Oklahoma City, eventually becoming Hirsh, Johanning & Hudson, and later becoming Johanning & Hudson with an emphasis on Municipal, Public Finance and Corporate Law. Finally, in 1977 David focused his own private practice on Municipal and Public Finance and Corporate Law.
David served as Senior Administrative Assistant and Legal Counsel to his long time friend Governor George Nigh from 1979 to 1984. He then served as General Counsel to the original Horse Racing Commission. He briefly returned to Private Law Practice in Oklahoma City. From 1991 to 1995 David served as General Counsel to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and served as First Assistant Attorney General to Attorney General Drew Edmondson from 1995 until retirement in 1999.
In 1960, David married Patricia Anne Murphy and assumed guardianship of her two children, Lee Kevin and Tara Suzanne Metheny and raised them as his own. From that union came daughters Seana Kathleen and Amy Patricia.
David was a fervent Democrat (AKA Yellow Dog) and passionate OSU fan. He enjoyed politics, cooking and travel. He was unassumingly brilliant, unpretentious, and incredibly kind hearted. David was a loyal and devoted father, “PawPaw” and friend. He wholeheartedly shared the disappointments and joy in the lives of those he loved. He was actively a Daddy and grandfather who instilled in them loyalty to family and their own integrity as hard-working, compassionate people.
David was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his children, Kevin Metheny, Tara Feuerborn (Randy), Seana Dean (Kyle), Amy Regan (Pete); grandchildren, Lauren Zuniga, Kaitlin Brown, Murphy and Maeve Metheny, Kellen David and Ainsley Dean, Jack Patrick Regan; great-grandchildren, Kavi and Briam Zuniga; friend and companion, Sharon Gowdy; brother, Robert Hudson (Tomi); 2 nieces, 5 great-nephews and nieces and his beloved pets.
David’s family would like to express immeasurable gratitude to Dr. Randel Allen, and the nursing staff at St Anthony Hospital for their outstanding care this past two years. Additionally they would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Quality Life Hospice and most especially his niece, Gail Hudson and her son, Trace Little, for their respectful, tender and compassionate care for him as well as for his family. Without them it would have been impossible to allow him to die with peace and dignity at home.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that charitable donations be made to the Regional Food Bank, 3355 S. Perdue Avenue, OKC, OK 73137, Pets and People, 701 Inla Avenue, Yukon, OK 73099, the American Lung Association www.lung.org/donate 11212 N. May Ave Suite 405 OKC,OK 73120, or to the OSU Foundation, PO Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749.
A celebration of David's life will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 127 NW 7th St., OKC, OK 73102 at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 16, 2012. As David could often be distinctively heard to cheer on his beloved Cowboys with “Go Pokes” or “Orange Power”, the family would like to ask those attending to honor his memory by wearing orange.
Condolences may be offered at www.eisenhourfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18