David Allen Hungate Sr. of Topping, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

David was born Jan. 7, 1958 in Boston, Mass., to Shirley (Goodwin) and Vernon Hungate. The family moved to Gloucester in 1972 and he graduated from Gloucester High School in 1975. In 1976 at the age of 18, David joined the Navy and retired in 1998 after 22 years as Chief Gunner’s Mate. During his time in the Navy he proudly served his country aboard the USS Saipan, Iwo Jima, Butte and Shenandoah; serving in combat during 1990-1991, Desert Storm.

David loved working on cars and was a good mechanic; therefore, after retirement he worked with longtime best friend, Bennie Harris of Precision Tune; and then with F.W. Siebert Inc. at the Yorktown Refinery out of which was formed a lasting friendship between the two men. David was a rural mail carrier out of Urbanna Post Office and made many friends at the post office and along his mail route.

David was a very proud member of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 58, where he had served as a Chapter Commander and as Treasurer. Our sincere thanks to the Chapter and Unit for their support and help during these past few months. He was a member of Petsworth Baptist Church.

David was a truly special man and a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He was especially proud of nephew Nicholas Ligon, CS2, U.S. Coast Guard, now serving in Key West, Florida.

He was preceded in death by father, Vernon Hungate; step-father, William Goodwin; nephew, Ricky Suarez, and special cousin, Valerie Millner.

He leaves to cherish his memory loving and caring wife, Linda; children, David Hungate Jr., Jennifer Veasey and husband Sam, Michael Hungate; step-daughter, Kelleigh Seay; step-son, David Bleeker and wife Nikki, and mother, Shirley Goodwin.

He was the very proud "Granddaddy" and "Dandaddy" to Jordan, Lillian, Alexis and Kylar; sisters, Pamela Soukup, Cynthia Suarez and husband Armando, Judy Poland and husband Gary; sisters-in-law, Wilma Williams and husband David, Alma Sickal and husband Dean; aunt, Alene Haney; nieces and nephews, April and Heather Poland, John and Nicholas Ligon, Christina, Christopher, Elizabeth and Stacey Soukup, Thomas Suarez.

Funeral services conducted by the Rev. Dennis Hollandsworth were held at 3 p.m. Monday at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. Interment with military honors followed in Windsor Gardens Cemetery. The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Postmaster Kim Wayne, Adam, "Miss Betty," Christine and D.J. for their wonderful support and assistance during David’s illness. Also, the family would like to sincerely thank Dr. John Paschold and his staff at Virginia Oncology, Sentara Williamsburg Hospital for the wonderful care received; and the love and care provided by Sentara Hospice, especially nurse Lene.

In David’s memory, contributions may be given to Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 58, P.O. Box 58, White Marsh, Va. 23183.