David Wallace Chennault Jr.

David Chennault passed into Christ's eternal kingdom on November 12, 2025, peacefully at home with his loved ones by his side. David was born on February 21, 1948, to Mary Rhodes Chennault and David Chennault, Sr. A part of his childhood was spent in the small town of Waterproof, Louisiana. These years were spent roaming through cotton fields and planning his Tom Sawyer escape down the Mississippi River with his friends Scrap Iron, Little Janie and Cousin Claudia.
His next adventure took him to Taiwan living there several years. Returning to the states in his elementary years, he attended Georgia Tucker, Lee Jr High School and Neville High School. He attended LSU and Northeast LA University receiving degrees in Government and Accounting.
David met the love of his life, Debbie Booth at a Neville football game the day she turned 15. They married four years later and welcomed a son, David Burton Chennault, Burt, who died at the age of 2. This tragedy drew them into the forgiveness, comfort and assurance of eternal life in Christ. Another son was born, Samuel, Biblical meaning "God has heard". Years later they welcomed a daughter, Mary Beth, who is their sunshine. David and Debbie were very active in their children's activities and sports. David coached Samuel and his friends in football for many years.
David was an avid tennis player. He and Debbie enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and exploring the beautiful mountains of Virginia. Moving his family to Charlotte, North Carolina as the Comptroller of the Manville paper company plant brought new adventures for the Chennault family. Some years later the Virginia mountains beckoned him with their beauty and splendor. 25 years were spent in this, his beloved state. There David was the Chief Operating Officer of the Fralin Art Museum at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. As a student of history he took pride in walking the paths Thomas Jefferson forged.
After retirement David and Debbie moved to Sarasota, Florida to live near their daughter. David indulged his daughter in many trips to Disney World and became a fan of the Mouse House himself. His favorite was the train ride around The Magic Kingdom. Several Father/Son trips were very special for David. He and Sam traveled to the Catskills and Adirondack mountains of New York, and then the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts and the lakes of New Hampshire.
He was greatly loved by his surviving family. His Beloved Mother, Mary Chennault Lee, his wife, Debbie, his children Sam Chennault of Mt Tremper, NY, and Mary Beth Chennault of Windermere, Florida. Other beloved family members included Ken and Kathie Booth of Shreveport, Louisiana, Susan Spencer and Sandy Pecanty of West Monroe, Louisiana and nephews Chris and Tam Booth of Houston, Texas and Jared Booth of Shreveport, Louisiana, and niece, Ginny and Paul Shelton of Albany, New York and their 3 children Jay, Sophia and Magnolia. And a cousin, Claudia Williams of Newelton, Louisiana, who was like a sister to David.
A memorial service will take place at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date to be shared with friends and family. During his lengthy illness David clung to the Old Rugged Cross of Christ. And he's exchanged it now for the promised crown of eternal life.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, is in charge of arrangements.