David Wilemon

David Luther Wilemon, age 82, passed away surrounded by family in the comfort of his home in Maypearl, Texas on August 18, 2019.  He was born March 27, 1937 to long-time Maypearl residents Peary and Bunch Wilemon.  He was married to Jane Clement Wilemon for fifty-eight years and had two children, Elizabeth Ann Wilemon, living in Belize with her husband Jorge Sanchez, and their son Michael David Wilemon who lives near Maypearl and manages their cow/calf operation.  David is also survived by his sister, Judy Martin Gamble, her husband Gary Gamble, and several nieces and nephews. His younger sister, Susan Solomon passed away in 2010.

Dave’s motivation, curiosity and grit were a large part of who he was. He became an Eagle Scout and a student athlete setting records for Waxahachie High School.  While consulting with NASA, he attended the Challenger launch at Cape Canaveral.

He was recruited by SMU with a football scholarship and was drafted by the LA Rams and the NY Jets. After serving in the US Coast Guard and working in Maypearl at the family owned and operated Cotton Gin he pursued his life-long ambition of becoming an educator.

After earning degrees from SMU and Michigan State University, he and his family moved to Syracuse University where he, in his 43 years career as professor of business administration, won countless awards for teaching, research and publishing.  He served on the board of directors for several organizations, most recently with the Cowboy Bank of Texas.

David was passionate about stewardship and translated into action the family pledge “to leave the gift of our land better than when we received it.” In the NY Adirondacks, he and his family planted more that 20,000 trees.  After retiring in 2010, they practiced the same principles of stewardship in Texas, returning crop land to native grasses.

He loved travel adventures-scuba diving and trekking, and hiking to Mt. Everest’s base camp. In all David did, he lived his life to the fullest with love for God, his beloved family and country.  To quote a dear friend, “Dave was a ray of light from God.”

A memorial service will be held at Wayne Boze Funeral Home 1826 W. Hwy. 287 Business in Waxahachie Saturday, August 24, 2019. Calling hours will be from 1-3:00 PM followed by a memorial service at 3:00 PM.  Interment will follow at the Maypearl Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Friends of Maypearl(501c3) PO Box 120, Maypearl, TX. 76064

Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie. www.waynebozefuneralhome.com