David Austin Metts, of Midland, Texas, died February 1, 2022, peacefully in his home. Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 4, 2022 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Private family burial will be held at Resthaven Cemetery.
He was born to Lesley and Willie Bell Metts in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. He was raised in Texarkana, Arkansas where he learned to play and excel at baseball.
David attended college on a baseball scholarship at Centenary College in Louisiana before serving in the United States Army. He returned to Arkansas from a tour in Korea and completed a master’s degree in geology in a record breaking one year at the University of Arkansas. Upon graduating, he began his career in the oil business with Texaco and moved to Midland, Texas in 1961. In 1970, he decided to step out on his own as an independent oil man and built a national oil business called Damco Enterprises. David had an adventurous and successful career in geology and weathered the changing tides of the business during his fifty-five years in the oil industry. It was always a pleasure to visit with him about the state of oil and the economy, as well as his thoughts on new technologies in the oil business. It remained one of his passions until the end of his life.
David also had a passion for his volunteer work with St. Vincent de Paul. His wife, Mary Helen, introduced him to the organization and he was hooked. He was especially moved by the level of need of the many families seeking aid from St. Vincent de Paul, sometimes only wanting a bill paid when they had dirt floors. He initially became a caseworker like his wife. He served in many roles over the years, eventually serving as president of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church Conference for St. Vincent de Paul and, throughout his years of volunteering, he worked persistently to advocate for those in need.
David was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing socially, as well as competitively. He kept his competitive edge well into his later years. David enjoyed riding motorcycles, as well, and had many adventures traveling cross country with his close friends. David had a great sense of humor and a fierce commitment to physical fitness throughout his life.
David is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Mary Helen Metts; his children, Alison Starck, Leslie Shippy, and Anthony Metts; as well as six grandchildren – Rose, Derek, Mike, Grant, Reed and Elizabeth; two siblings – Sylvia and Jim, along with nieces and nephews; and three great grandchildren – Koryn, Penelope, and Ben.
He is preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Lola.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com
