David Mark Vail, 64, passed away September 21, 2021, at his home in Hooker, OK. He fell asleep and woke up in the arms of Jesus. He was born March 3, 1957, to Freeda May Vail in Lubbock, TX.
David married the love of his life Janet Gustin on February 14, 2004. They have loved each other more every day for over 17 years.
David always loved his family and did what he had to in order to keep the family together and taken care of. He was the rock and patriarch of the Vail family. David was saved when he was 10 years old but fell away from his faith. When he came back to Jesus Christ on Easter of 2000, he jumped in with both feet, and never looked back. He spent his remaining years passionately ministering to drug addicts, alcoholics, and anyone else who would allow him time to talk about his Savior. David served First Baptist Church of Hooker as a trustee, Sunday School teacher, VBS volunteer, RA leader, and a bus driver. David and Janet were sponsors and took grandkids to Falls Creek for over 10 years. He and Janet led the Life Recovery ministry for almost 20 years, helping others with their addictions. He became a member of the Hooker city council in 2009 and served as mayor of Hooker from 2016 until his illness forced him to resign recently. He and Janet worked as chaplains with the Disaster Relief of Oklahoma for years and he served as treasurer of the Mission in Hooker. He was also lovingly given the nickname of “Mr. Candy Lady” by little ones in town who still come to their house to get candy each day.
David had a huge heart and gave freely of his experiences, his time, his money, and most importantly, his heart. His last wish would be that all hear these words and understand just how much God loves them, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what they’ve done. His life verse is John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
He was preceded in death by his mother, Freeda and a sister, Polly Westmoreland.
David is survived by his wife, Janet Vail, two brothers, Charles and Carma Vail of Plainview, Texas and Michael Vail of Plainview, TX. His other survivors include six children, William Higgins of Wichita, KS, Benny and Chris Baker of Sudan, TX, Bobby and PJ Westmoreland of Corinth, TX, Patricia Fason of Sacramento, CA, Pam Washington of Garden City, OK, and Nichole & Mark Cook of West Plains, MO. He left behind fourteen grandchildren: Xavier, Noah, Sierra, Sarah, Mathew, Luke, Leah, Gary Allen, Steven, Shelli, Nicholas, Clay, Alexis, and Sydney. He has 5 great grandchildren with another one on the way, and one great-great grandbaby girl with another on the way.
Memorial services for David will be on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Hooker, OK. with Pastor Mike McReynolds officiating. Arrangements directed by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home in Hooker, Oklahoma.
Donations in his memory, are suggested to the City of Hooker for the Police Department, EMS, Animal Control, and City Library and may be left at City of Hooker, P.O. Box 67, Hooker, OK 73945.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsbrothersfuneralhome.com
