June 1, 1978 – September 22, 2018 EDMOND This past weekend the world lost an incredibly caring person with a renowned corny sense of humor that brought joy to every person he came in contact with. David departed this life as he lived it — full of courage and a love for people. The beloved son of Jim and Judy Ware, he was born in Sherman, TX in 1978. He spent his childhood years moving around with his Air Force family, finally settling in Edmond after graduating from Edmond Santa Fe High School in 1997 and earning a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 2004 and a teaching certification from LeTourneau University in 2005. During college, David served as a videographer for the OSU football team while at the same time driving a school bus to help with expenses. His choice of this college job was largely a result of his passion for preventing the bullying of children on their way to and from school. After graduation, David taught high school English for a short time before he discovered his real love, aquatics. He was revered by all his students. As one young man wrote, “He will always be my favorite teacher. When a teacher comes into your life and makes such an impact, you can’t let them out of your thoughts.” David was a man of many interests, accomplishments, and passions. Loving any and all things to do with the water, he obtained innumerable aquatics certifications and excelled as a lifeguard, aquatics therapist, personal trainer, and instructor for water fitness, safety, yoga, and arthritis rehabilitation. His students loved him as much as he loved teaching and healing them. Dave was a true sports enthusiast, working all his adult life as a basketball, soccer, volleyball, and softball referee – attaining the Bronze Level of Excellence from the ASA Umpire Medals Program and special recognition for umpiring in the North American Softball Championship held in Plano, TX. Together with his father, he earned a technician class license as a ham radio operator. David was a “giver” by nature. A dedicated blood and plasma donor, he helped to save many lives. His many years of service to the Texas Christian Ashram, where he could gather with family and friends, were some of the happiest of his life. He looked forward to this annual spiritual gathering with relish. Everyone who met David was struck by the bigness of his heart, the compassion of his soul, and the strength of his courage! He loved God as much he loved people, with a deep and abiding faith that sustained him throughout his life. He was his mother’s hero in her fight against both leukemia and breast cancer – providing care and support that words simply cannot describe. Dave blazed his own paths and followed his own star. David is survived by his parents and his older brother, Kevin. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Edmond on Sooner Road near Danforth Road. In lieu of flowers, an endowment fund is being established in David’s name to help the Wounded Warrior Project and other worthy charitable causes that were near and dear to David’s heart. Please contact St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City for assistance in contributing to this fund.

Source:  Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK) – Sunday, September 30, 2018