David L. Waldron, age 74, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kansas. He was born August 12, 1945, in Holly, Colorado, the son of William Leo and Minnie (Ortiz) Waldron.

David was raised on a farm in Southeast Colorado near the town of Lycan. He attended a one room schoolhouse for eight years, graduating from Walsh High School in 1964. David received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from St. Mary of the Plains College in 1967, and his master’s degree in Education from Kansas State University in 1980. David married Doris E. Ackerman on September 20, 1969. He began his teaching career in Spearville, Kansas, before being drafted in 1970 into the United States Army. He was stationed at Panama, Canal Zone as the Company Clerk with the 550th Military Police Special Forces. After an Honorable Discharge, his family moved to Ulysses, Kansas. David taught elementary education at Joyce, Kepley and Hickok schools for a total of 35 years. In 1976, during his early years of teaching in Ulysses, David received the award of Outstanding Young Educator. He was incredibly involved in the community and church. David was a member of Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79 where he served as the Commander and for several years as the Adjutant. He was also part of the Color Guard, called Bingo on Monday nights, and was involved in the Children and Youth, Boys State, and Cadet Law Enforcement. David was also Citizen of the Year in 2016, a member of Grant County Scholarship Committee and Kiwanis Club. As an active member of Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, his family received a Family of the Year Award. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Bishop A.J. Schwertner Assembly of Liberal, Kansas, in the Knights of Columbus, where he was chosen as Knight of the Year. Some of the activities David helped with were Young Adult and Adult Religious Education, he sang in the church choir, was a song leader, lector, usher, greeter for Mass, and cantor at funerals.

Above all else, he was a loving husband, married for more than 50 years, a devoted father and an amazing grandfather who never missed a game, a program or any other episode in his grandchildren’s lives. He will be remembered for his booming voice and extra loud applause that could be heard throughout every event that he attended.

David is survived by his wife, Doris (Ackerman); daughter, Renee Bishop and husband Dallas of Johnson, Kansas; son, Kent Waldron and wife Heather of Johnson, Kansas; brothers, Michael Waldron and wife Judy of Shawnee, Kansas, Patrick Waldron and wife LaRae of Derby, Kansas, Anthony Waldron and wife Patricia of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and Christopher and wife Niki Waldron of Vallejo, California; sisters, Linda Ackerman of Dodge City, Kansas, Theresa Salem of Cimarron, Kansas, and Roxann Saaty of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He also leaves us with many grandchildren, Kyler Frisby of Moore, Oklahoma, Slade Frisby of Johnson, Kansas, Makenzie Droste of Overland Park, Kansas, Aidan Waldron, Hallie Waldron, Landry Waldron all of Johnson, Kansas, Jacob Bishop and wife Tiana of Garden City, Kansas, and Tyler Bishop and Lisa of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and two great-grandchildren, Veryn and Ross, as well as multiple nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Minnie, a sister, Catherine, brothers/sisters-in law, Sr. Karen Ackerman, Bob Ackerman, Vic Ackerman, Joe Salem, Elvira (Ackerman)Dick and Dennis Ackerman.

A family Vigil and Rosary service will be held Friday, June 12, 2020, at 7:00 PM and family Funeral Mass will be Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 10:00 AM both at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ulysses, Kansas. Reverend Aneesh Parappanattu, MSFS will be officiating. Friends may watch the Funeral Mass on Garnand Funeral Home Facebook Live. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery with military rites by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79. Friends may call Friday, June 12, 2020, from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to the Grant County Scholarship Fund or Mary, Queen of Peace Building Fund or Mary, Queen of Peace Education Fund all in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.