David was born in El Paso, Texas to Kenneth Eugene and Mary Ellen Vanderheydt. He passed in Huntsville, Texas at the age of 63. He was a rambunctious child who loved animals & the outdoors. Growing up David was active in AG where he raised & showed sheep. He had a horse named Lucky & would often go horseback riding with his family & fellow Sun Country Trail Riders. He also took pride in taking Lucky to the mule races, even if she was the slowest horse, they managed a path that won first place. In college he pursued a Criminal Justice career at University of Texas at El Paso, where he became a Longhorn for life. During his studies he was given the opportunity to ride shotgun with the state police. This experience led him to change course & pursue his life calling of helping others. He went on to become a paramedic & quickly advanced to the top of his career. His career, though difficult at times, filled him with great joy over the years & he became a hero to many people in need. Most recently he served on the ESD Board working with several local fire stations. In his personal time, he created custom fishing lures & reloading equipment. He was a true outdoorsman; fishing & hunting were his favorite pastimes. He spent many days upkeeping his boat & fishing with his wife & girls. After a day on the lake, he enjoyed coming home & cooking his catch of the day. He liked to take his granddaughter Riley hunting & even though she wouldn't stay quiet long enough for any deer to come, he took pride in the sport & the opportunity to share it with her. Being a "Pop" to his grand girls was the light of his life. He & his wife Kathy spent time travelling & going on adventures together. When they were home, they enjoyed sitting on the front porch chatting, & having family over for holidays & cookouts. Some say dogs are angels sent from heaven in disguise, if this is true then David spent his life surrounded by them & he left 7 angels on earth to keep watch over his wife & family. Many will miss David's fiery spirit, quick wit, & quirky sense of humor. David is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Vanderheydt & his sister Janette Dolan. He is survived by his wife Kathy, daughters Jennifer Mize & Kimberly Vanderheydt of Huntsville, Texas & Stacey Frazier of Lufkin, Texas. His mother Mary Vanderheydt of San Antonio, Texas. Granddaughters Riley, Ava, & Alyssa of Huntsville, Texas. Sister Debbie & husband Mano Perez of San Antonio, Texas. Uncle Don & wife Joyce Taylor of Peoria, Illinois. Aunt Judy Taylor of Peoria, Illinois. Niece Christina & husband Buddy Matthews, great nieces Chloe & Deborah Matthews of San Antonio, Texas. Nephew Michael Perez Sr. & wife Normari, great nephew Michael Jr. of San Antonio, Texas. Nephew John Dolan, wife Michelle & children of El Paso, Texas. As well as many beloved aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces & friends whom he considered family.

A Memorial service will be Saturday October 9, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. First Assembly of God Church Huntsville, Texas

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Waller-Thornton Funeral Home