David Welty Oden

A memorial service for David Welty Oden will be held on Thursday, August 10th at 6:00 PM, with a visitation starting at 5:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Schulenburg, Texas.  A second memorial will be held in Texarkana at the Circle J Cowboy Church on August the 18^th with interment to follow at the Red Lick Cemetery.

David “Dave” Welty Oden, age 78, formerly of Schulenburg passed away on July 26, 2023 in Houston, Texas surrounded by his family.  He was born in Texarkana, Arkansas on September 23, 1944 to Leroy David Oden and Ivy Irene (Dunham) Oden.  He graduated from Hooks High School and joined the United States Air Force where he served for over two years until his father passed away which led to a hardship discharge.  David then returned home to help his mother and siblings on the family farm, also working for Day and Zimmerman, testing explosives.  He married Barbara Smith on September 1, 1967, and they later had two children.  In 1973, Dave went to work for BWI – Texarkana as a driver and then as the warehouse manager. In 1987, Dave moved his family to Schulenburg, TX where he worked at BWI as the Transportation Manager, retiring in 2007 after 34 years with the company. 

David grew up in Nash, TX and enjoyed living a simple life.  He was an avid gardener and fisherman and loved to hunt as well. He was known for sharing his harvest from his garden with friends and neighbors.   Dave also loved to travel, especially to Europe and Alaska – Alaska being his favorite destination. Dave will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

David is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Barbara Ann Oden; daughter, Julie Anna Oden of New Braunfels and son, David Bryan Oden of San Marcos; brother, Ronald Dean Oden of New Boston; along with numerous nieces, nephews and loved ones.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Barbara Jean Zelenka and Audrey Lee Oden; and brother, Daniel Wayne Oden.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to MD Anderson Research Foundation, Leukemia Foundation or a charity of one’s choice. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fayette Memorial Funeral Home in La Grange, Texas.  Share your thoughts and find memories online at www.fayettememorialhome.com.