David Murrell Gist

David Murrell Gist, age 95, of San Angelo, Texas passed away from this earth into the arms of Jesus on August 22, 2023.

Viewing and visitation with family will be from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Harper Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, August 25, 2023 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Gist was born May 9,1928 in San Angelo, Texas to his parents Naomi Clark Gist Salvato and Luie Fay Gist. After Naomi’s death, Luie later remarried Ruby Gist.

David joined the United States Navy in 1946 where he served on the USS Turner from September 24,1946 to August 5,1953 as a Pipe-Fitter Foreman and was honorably discharged in 1953 receiving the Good Conduct Medal. He graduated from the University of Texas College in 1959 with a BS degree in Pharmacy.

David married the love of his life, Johnnie Sue Hyatt Gist in 1952 in San Angelo, Tx. They would share their love through the adoption of three children, Michael, Cathy and Jim. David loved his work as a pharmacist and enjoyed visiting with those he served in that position. David and Johnnie soon purchased their own building and Gist Pharmacy was established. David considered his customers friends and was proud to serve them. After closing their own store, David went to work for

Skaggs-Albertsons where he finished his career as a pharmacist and retired. David strived to learn and encouraged his family as well. He taught himself about computers and the internet and recognized that technology was soon to be very important in being successful. David shared this knowledge with his children by purchasing each family a home computer once they became available. David also served on the Board of Directors at Texas State Bank.

David and Johnnie loved ball-room dancing and would spend many nights teaching dance moves to their friends in their garage converted dance hall. David and Johnnie were very active in various dance clubs and were members of the San Angelo Bridge Club. David also loved traveling and adventures and he and Johnnie traveled to Europe many times. They took the grandkids on trips across the United States, visiting many National Parks, museums including St. Judes Hospital. St. Judes made such an impression on the grandkids that they donated their vacation money and insisted that Grandaddy empty his pockets, as well.

In 1978, David and Johnnie began their interest in real estate and purchased their first rental property of which they would continue to the final number of 18 rental properties. David also had a love for investing in silver and gold and would proudly show off his latest coin or purchase.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Luie and Naomi Gist Salvato and Ruby Gist and son, James Christian Gist.

David is survived by his wife of 71 years, Johnnie of the home, his children, David Michael Gist and wife Shelia and Mary Catherine Ott all of San Angelo, Texas. Grandchildren: Jeffrey Beck, Jennifer Gist (husband, Mario Sanchez), Tasha Nicole Adcock, Abra Gist, Zachary Gist, Kimberly Gist, Gavin Gist, Lacy LaMontagne. Great-Grandchildren, Caleb

Hernandez-Gist, Kayden Gist, Hayden Beck, Kendall Sanchez, Saya LaMontagne. David is also survived by a very special niece, Mary Annis Allen and husband Roger, daughter-in-law Jayne Gist.

The family would like to thank Visiting Angels and Angels Care Hospice of San Angelo.