Walter David Millsap

Walter David Millsap, age 78, went to be with the Lord on July 17, 2013, at the Siloam Springs Nursing Home and Rehab. He was born on August 11, 1934 in Muskogee, OK, to Scott and Pauline Millsap. David grew up in Muskogee and graduated from Muskogee High School in 1952. During his years in school he was a boxer and became a Northeastern Oklahoma Golden Gloves Champ in 1952 and 53. His boxing name was the “Blond Bomber”. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, receiving his degree in Industrial Arts and Coaching. During college, he met and married Loretta Parsley on December 17, 1955 in Tahlequah. They had three children Wally, Donnie, and Martha and in 1970 adopted two more, Edward and Kathy. In 1956 he began teaching and coaching in Pineville, MO. In 1959, the Millsaps moved to Gentry, AR where David became the school principal. In 1963, they moved to Glenpool OK and he worked for one year as the school principal and then returned to Gentry in the fall of 1964. Until his retirement in 1986, Mr. Millsap worked for the Gentry School District as High School Principal, Guidance Counselor, Driver’s Education teacher, and school Bus Driver. He had a Masters Degree in Education and a Masters in Counseling. After his retirement he continued to farm at his home west of Gentry. Mr. Millsap stayed involved with the activities in the Gentry school system where many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren attend. He loved watching the Pioneers, especially playing football and basketball, and rarely missed a game. David became a Christian as a child and believed strongly in being an active member of his local church. He taught Sunday School and was an active deacon for many years at the First Baptist Church in Gentry. He loved missions and enjoyed supporting his children and grand-children on their many mission trips. Sharing Jesus was very important to him and he loved being a part of the Gideons International. He is preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter Bridgette Kay Millsap and grandson Joseph Edward Denny. He is survived by three sons, Wally Millsap and wife Kay, of Gentry, Donnie Millsap and wife Sandy, of Gentry, Edward Millsap and wife Fern, of Siloam Springs; two daughters Martha Hawkins of Gentry and Kathy Hummingbird and husband Damon of Springtown. He leaves behind grandchildren Heidi ,Courtney and Austin; Melissa, Scott, Craig and Michael; Hannah; Matthew and Amanda; and Thomas Denny. Great-grandchildren Matthew and Houston; Rebekkah, Colleen, Isabelle, Shaun, Aaron, Katie, Jaxon, David, Demia, Kiana, Sydney, McKenzey, Dylan and Aiden, and two brothers, Bob Lewis Millsap of Dennison, Texas, and Franklin Leon Millsap of Sachse, Texas. For the last seven years he and his wife have hosted foreign exchange students and he was a loving “grandpa” to fourteen students from all over the world. David was a supporter of the Benton County Fair, local 4-H clubs and several organizations that were special to young people. He will long be remembered for his story-telling, jokes and “Indian tricks”. He never met a stranger and always found someone to visit with. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday July 19, 2013 at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, AR. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday July 20th at the First Baptist Church in Gentry, AR, with Dr. Robin Cowin and Bill Stiles officiating. Burial will follow at the Springtown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Gideons International.

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Walter David Millsap

August 11, 1934 - July 17, 2013