David Kenneth Vanderheydt
How do you know David? Please share your stories and photos, and help spread the word about this page!
David was born in El Paso, Texas to Kenneth Eugene and Mary Ellen Vanderheydt. He passed in Huntsville, Texas at the age of 63. He was a rambunctious child who loved animals & the outdoors. Growing up David was active in AG where he raised & showed sheep. He had a horse named Lucky & would often go horseback riding with his family & fellow Sun Country Trail Riders. He also took pride in taking Lucky to the mule races, even if she was the slowest horse, they managed a path that won first place. In college he pursued a Criminal Justice career at University of Texas at El Paso, where he became a Longhorn for life. During his studies he was given the opportunity to ride shotgun with the state police. This experience led him to change course & pursue his life calling of helping others. He went on to become a paramedic & quickly advanced to the top of his career. His career, though difficult at times, filled him with great joy over the years & he became a hero to many people in need. Most recently he served on the ESD Board working with several local fire stations. In his personal time, he created custom fishing lures & reloading equipment. He was a true outdoorsman; fishing & hunting were his favorite pastimes. He spent many days upkeeping his boat & fishing with his wife & girls. After a day on the lake, he enjoyed coming home & cooking his catch of the day. He liked to take his granddaughter Riley hunting & even though she wouldn't stay quiet long enough for any deer to come, he took pride in the sport & the opportunity to share it with her. Being a "Pop" to his grand girls was the light of his life. He & his wife Kathy spent time traveling & going on adventures together. When they were home, they enjoyed sitting on the front porch chatting, & having family over for holidays & cookouts. Some say dogs are angels sent from heaven in disguise, if this is true then David spent his life surrounded by them & he left 7 angels on earth to keep watch over his wife & family. Many will miss David's fiery spirit, quick wit, & quirky sense of humor. David is preceded in death by his father Kenneth Vanderheydt & his sister Janette Dolan. He is survived by his wife Kathy, daughters Jennifer Mize & Kimberly Vanderheydt of Huntsville, Texas & Stacey Frazier of Lufkin, Texas. His mother Mary Vanderheydt of San Antonio, Texas. Granddaughters Riley, Ava, & Alyssa of Huntsville, Texas. Sister Debbie & husband Mano Perez of San Antonio, Texas. Uncle Don & wife Joyce Taylor of Peoria, Illinois. Aunt Judy Taylor of Peoria, Illinois. Niece Christina & husband Buddy Matthews, great nieces Chloe & Deborah Matthews of San Antonio, Texas. Nephew Michael Perez Sr. & wife Normari, great nephew Michael Jr. of San Antonio, Texas. Nephew John Dolan, wife Michelle & children of El Paso, Texas. As well as many beloved aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces & friends whom he considered family. A Go Me Fund has been set up for the family of David Vanderheydt. : https://www.gofundme.com/5a7cn8-love-giving-back?pc=em_dn_contacts_r&rcid=r01-163059886191-5c33ffdd7e7c4636&member=13701925
Waller-Thornton Funeral Home