David Neill Antepara Sr.

David Neill Antepara Sr., 81, of Sanford, died Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008, at MidMichigan Medical Center.

He was born on April 10, 1927, in Jersey City, N.J., son of the late Francis and Gertrude (Neill) Antepara. David's family came from the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. He married Irene Margaret Ratz of Coleman. She predeceased him in 1965. Together they had three children. He married the former Dorothy M. Mayhew from Winterport, Maine. After high school, he joined and served in the U. S. Navy during World War II and was recalled for the Korean Conflict. He served in the Pacific on the battleship USS Wisconsin, destroyer Escort, D.C. Wilson and the destroyer Williamsburg. David had several jobs in New Jersey before coming to Michigan and settling in Coleman. He went to work for The Dow Chemical Co. and retired in 1982 after 33 years of service. David had helped many people in trouble. He flew a search plane looking for people who wondered off several times in cornfields and wooded areas. He saved several people who were fishing and fell in the water. He never hesitated if someone needed help. Some people at work called him Captain Andy. He grew up in the water and was a great swimmer. He was a swimming instructor in the Navy. David enjoyed swimming, water skiing, fishing, hunting and flying. He worked with Wesley Clark at Barstow Airport before Clark moved to Florida. He also enjoyed art work and wood carving. His favorite pets were two Doberman pinchers, Thor and J. R. He leaves a small dog called Ink that misses him very much.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Dorothy are his three children, David Neill Jr. of Roswell Ga., Ronald Michael of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Sharon Lynn of Mio; one grandson, Allen Sean of Wichita Falls, Texas; one sister, Joan (Tony) Paich of New Jersey; and two nieces, Marlene and Valerie. In addition to his parents and first wife Irene; one nephew, Daniel predeceased him. At David's request, his body has been donated to the University of Michigan Medical School for science and there is no visitation or services planned.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Directors, 1200 W. Wheeler St., Midland. You may send your condolences through www.waresmithwoolever.com.