Celebration of Life Service for Lt. Col (Ret) David Chael, 61, will be Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Central Christian Church with Rev. Don Bryant officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.
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David was born on May 22, 1956 in Kansas City, Kansas to Frederick and Martha Pool Chael and died on November 4, 2017 in Alva, Oklahoma.
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Lt. Col (Ret) Chael graduated from Kansas State University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Architecture (Magna Cum Laude), and worked initially as a professional photographer in Kansas City. A lifelong love of flying began in 1981 when his employer introduced him to commercial aerial photography. After earning his private pilot certificate, David entered military service in 1983 at the USAF Officer Training School, Lackland AFB, Texas where he was commissioned with honors as a distinguished graduate. He attended pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma and earned his Air Force Wings in 1984. David was selected to fly the T-38A “Talon” as a First Assignment instructor Pilot at Vance, where he met and married Sue Huckleberry, an Enid native in 1987. Lt. Col. (Ret) flew at Vance until 1989, when he was assigned to fly the Lockheed C-141B “Starlifter” at McChord AFB, Washington. Flying missions around the globe, he proudly served in the European and Middle Eastern theaters during Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM prior to temporarily separating from the Air Force in 1991. Lt. Col. (Ret) Chael then worked as a Contract Simulator instructor at Vance AFB in the T-37B “Tweet”, and was recruited in 1995 to transition to a challenging civilian position serving as the Vance AFB Community Planner, orchestrating long-range strategic planning initiatives that helped transition the base into the thriving Undergraduate Pilot Training facility it is today. In 1999, Lt. Col. (Ret) Chael returned to Air Force flying, joining the elite 5th Flying Training Squadron “Spitten Kittens.” He first flew the T-37B “Tweet” and later transitioned to the T-6A “Texan II” in 2006. Formerly the squadron’s Director of Training and a T-6 Flight Commander, he served as the 5 FTS Assistant Director of Operations. David has amassed over 10,700 total hours in command of a wide variety of civilian aircraft and is qualified as a second-in-command pilot in the Cessna Citation. David continued to work on a part-time basis as a photographer and contract pilot, flying corporate jets under his newly-founded company, ChaelAir, LLC. David was an active member of the Central Christian Church, where he had served as an elder, deacon, and property chair.
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David was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Jack Huckleberry.
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He is survived by his wife, Sue Chael of the home; son, Zach Chael and fiancée Ashley Harris of Oklahoma City, daughter, Dr. Lauren Chael-Hendrickson and husband, Stephen and granddaughters, Emily and Bridget all of Fishers, Indiana; his parents, Fred and Martha Chael of Kansas City, MO; three brothers and their wives, Rick and Kathy Chael of Grandview, MO, Ted and Brenda Chael of Overland Park, KS, and Mike and Lori Chael of Lenexa, KS; mother-in-law, Della Huckleberry of Enid; brother-in-law, J. Curtis Huckleberry of Enid; other relatives and many friends.
Memorials may be made to Central Christian Church or Woodring New Terminal Building through the funeral home.
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To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lt. Col (Ret) David T. Chael please visit our Sympathy Store.
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Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580)233-2700.
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David was a great friend and brother in Christ! We talked quite often about Jesus and how blessed we are! David helped me with my bi-annual flight review on several occasions and his info and psychology of teaching flight was second to none! We also had fun trading jokes and acting like boys! He could have been a comedian you know along with his many other talents. Couple of “chuckle heads”. So glad I heard of David’s passing while at home so my wife and I could hug and cry as when I cry I try to choke back the tears (like a man you know) and end up sounding like a soprano! Not good for public….David would get a kick out of that! Miss him so much but he is now in the forever continuum with that mansion that Jesus promised and the streets of gold and the Chrystal sea with the river flowing out of the throne of God and his Shekina glory lighting up all of the Heavens! No pain, no questions no doubt, just love and joy and peace and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit! I do hope there is a hanger with a plane for David to fly and work on. He is happy doing that! Blessings my brother Dave!