More detail on this person: David Allen
Theobald was born in Detroit, Michigan, May 5,
1942, to Vivian and Charles Theobald. He left this
world holding the hand of the love of his life on
August 8, 2016. David joined the Army in 1960,
leaving Decatur, Illinois for the big wide world.
And he saw quite a bit of that world. He traveled
from Germany to Officer Candidate School in Ft.
Benning, Georgia, to Vietnam as an infantry
officer to Massachusetts, to Texas, to Virginia,
then back to Texas for flight school. He served a
second tour in Vietnam flying Chinook helicopters.
When told he would do another tour, he politely
declined and left the military after 10 years. In
the 70s, he joined John Hancock Insurance in
Newport News, Virginia. He spent years learning
the business, earning almost every designation
available in the insurance and financial planning
world. In 1981, the agency hired a new business
clerk, Gail Spinks, and he was smitten. After many
ups and downs, broken and healed hearts, they
were married on March 10, 1990. Along with Gail
came two sons to love. And love them he did. They
moved back to her home state of Texas and he
became a manager for Prudential. He was
transferred to Midland in 1992. He eventually
opened Theobald Financial Solutions. David loved,
in no particular order, golf, singing, the Dallas
Cowboys, and Danica Patrick. He and Gail spent
many hours at Midland Community Theatre, both
onstage and backstage. His favorite roles were the
Governor of Texas in "The Best Little Whorehouse
in Texas," David O. Selznick in "Moonlight and
Magnolias," and the King to Gail's Queen in
"Cinderella." He was a member of the MCT Board of
Trustees at the time of his death. David leaves a
devastated family to cherish his memory: his
loving wife, Diana Gail Theobald; sons, Tracy
Spinks and Trent Spinks (Kim) of Ft. Worth, Texas;
grandchildren, Carolynn (Vincent), Cassandra
(Andy), Mark, Tyler, Kaela, Alexa, Keara, and
Kelsea; great-grandchildren, Aniiya, Vincent, Jr.,
Andrew, and Michael. He is also survived by his
brother, Don Theobald; sisters, Sally Hubner (Roy)
and Carol Jones (Terry); and by numerous nieces,
nephews, all of Decatur. He loved his family with
fierceness and generosity. At David's request,
there will not be a funeral service. A memorial
"aren't-you-glad-you-got-to-know-me" gathering
will be held at MCT at a later date. His ashes
will be interred in the Columbarium at the
Dallas-Ft. Worth National Veterans Cemetery with
military honors. In lieu of flowers, David
requested memorial donations be made to Midland
Community Theatre, 2000 W. Wadley, Midland,
Texas 79705. Arrangements are under the direction
of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home &
Crematory. Online condolences can be made at
www.npwelch.com
Burial: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery,
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA, Plot:
Columbarium
This information was last updated 08/13/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association