David H. Hattox

David H. Hattox died peacefully at home on Monday, February 16, with his beloved dog at his side.

David was born in New Albany, Mississippi, on November 20, 1950, along with his twin brother, Douglas, and grew up in Ecru, Mississippi. He graduated from high school in 1968 as co-valedictorian with his twin. He played on the football team and then marched with the band playing trombone during halftime. He graduated from Mississippi College where he was a yell leader and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. He earned a BA in History, and later an MA in History from Baylor. While in graduate school, he spent a year abroad as an exchange student in Fukuoka, Japan.

After returning from Japan in 1975, he met his beloved wife, Beth Beckelhymer. He insists that they had met at least three times before she remembered him. They married in 1977. Two years later they moved to Corpus Christi, where they made their home. David earned an MS in Computer Science at Corpus Christi State University (now TAMU-CC).

They welcomed their first daughter Laura in 1983 and later Caroline in 1991.

David retired in 2021 as department chair of Computer Science, Engineering, and Advanced Technology at Del Mar College after being with the department for over 20 years.

He was an avid (late) morning swimmer at Santa Fe Swim Club, enjoyed woodworking in his garage, and travelling the world with his wife. If there was a train, David wanted to ride on it and usually did. He and Beth enjoyed many wonderful adventures together, their daughters with them as they were growing up, and more recently with their grandchildren. He volunteered at the Coastal Bend Food Bank and Driscoll Children's Hospital in his retirement. David was a frequent blood donor and served on the session at Parkway Presbyterian Church where he had been a member since 1990.

He was a proud girl dad and attended countless soccer games and ballet recitals. He was his daughters' biggest cheerleader and occasionally was seen out and about with pink heart sticky earrings his daughters had bestowed upon him. He adored being with his grandchildren and loved them beyond measure. He chose Sensei as his grandfather name.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Hattox, his daughters Laura Costas (Teague) and Caroline Arnosky (Janos), and grandchildren Hattox, Callum, Ronan, Adelaide, and another girl on the way. He is also survived by his brother Brock (Debbie), his twin Douglas (Bonnie), sister-in-law Paulette (Eddie), and wonderful nieces and nephews.

Services will be on Friday, February 20, at 2 PM at Parkway Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Del Mar College Foundation.