Funeral service for David Earl “Pete” Pike will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson with Kyle Green officiating.  Interment will follow in Tennessee Community Cemetery, Timpson.  Visitation for family and friends will be 5:00 – 6:30 PM, Friday, January 20, 2017, at Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson.

 

David Earl "Pete" Pike, 77, of Timpson, Texas passed away at his home on January 17, 2017 of COPD and complications. Born July 6, 1939, in Gary, Panola County, Texas, he is the son of the late Elbert and Artie (Birdwell) Pike. His grandmother called him “Pete” and it stuck. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.

 

His family had moved to Timpson by mid-1940. David and his siblings grew up around the Timpson area, mostly farming and raising chickens. All six children attended Timpson Public Schools. David made the All-District Football Team in 1956/57 and was honorably mentioned for All-State that year as well. He graduated in 1958.

 

After graduation he entered the Army, serving in Japan, Germany, Korea and Vietnam. In Vietnam he was assigned to “D” Co. 198 LIB, Americal Division, operating out of Fire Base Dottie, conducting search and destroy missions in the theater of operations. Wounded by a ChiCom grenade on 18 August 1970 near My Lai, he was medivaced to Chu Lai, Da Nang, Japan, Brooke Army Medical Center. For combat service he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star (3) with “V” Device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service and others. He retired from the Army after 20 years in 1984.

 

David then became accredited by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) in 1986. He worked as an anti-corrosion specialist and inspector throughout the United States and overseas until 2000. He established Texas Independent Coatings Inspectors, Inc. in 1986. 

 

David married Tempie Ann Green in 1998, after they had both reared a family, lived a full life, and had successful careers. They have lived in Timpson since 1999. David is a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion, and a contributing member of the Timpson Area Genealogical and Heritage Society.

 

David is survived by his loving wife Tempie Green Pike; daughter, Christina Rena Pike of New Orleans, Louisiana; stepdaughter, Tara Rogers and husband Gene of Columbus, Ohio; stepson, Rusty Brunson and wife Jacqueline of New Braunfels, Texas; sister, Patsy Rogers of Conroe, Texas; grandson, Stephen Mitchell Pike-Kirsch of New Orleans, Louisiana; step-grandchildren, Jordan, Kelsey, Merin and Daylon Rogers and Arabella Ames; and a host of family and friends that will miss him dearly.    

 

David was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe and Carol Lynn “Cotton” Pike; sisters, Jimmie Lou Curbow and Peggy Ruth Hudges.

 

A special thank you is extended to Bethany Hospice, and most recently HeartsWay Hospice for their support and care. 

 

To convey condolences online, please visit www.taylor.net.  Taylor Funeral Home, Timpson, TX, is in charge of arrangements.