David Joe Harrell, 73, of Denton, Texas and formerly of Waco, Texas passed away peacefully at Denton Medical City on Saturday, August 22 ^nd , 2020 with his daughter and her family by his side.   A memorial service will be held in Denton, Texas at Central Baptist Church, 2221 N Carroll Blvd on Sunday, September 20 ^th , 2020 at 2pm with Pastor Paul Shelton officiating.

David was born on May 30, 1947 in Denton, Texas to Billy Joe and Marie Elizabeth Harrell.   He graduated from Denton High School in 1965.   He then attended North Texas State University in Denton, Texas where he completed "Pre-Engineering" curriculum.  He graduated in May of 1970 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with the specialty in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering.   He was a member of the National Honor Society and of the Texas Engineering Board in Austin, Texas.  He began working for Employers Insurance of Texas in San Antonio, Texas as a Field Engineer upon graduation.  In 1972, he transferred within the company to Waco, Texas as a District Engineering Manager.   In 1990, he became an Insurance Agent for Farmers Insurance Group until his retirement in 2000.   After he retired, he began caring for people's animals and houses while they were away on trips as well as taking many people to doctor's appointments and to the airport daily.

David loved football, baseball, hunting dove & deer, collecting guns, fishing, collecting and restoring fishing rods & reels, working crossword puzzles, collecting gourmet cookware and gourmet cooking.   He was known for making venison chili & sausage.  He played football in both high school & college.  He played baseball in high school.   He was a UT Longhorn fan and member of the Texas Exes association.  He talked to his daughter daily by phone and was always available to give advice or just to talk.

David was preceded in death by his father, Billy Joe Harrell.

He is survived by his mother, Marie Elizabeth Harrell of Denton; his daughter, Deirdre Ann Coleman and husband, Scott of Waco; his grand-daughter, Lauren Grace Barrett of Waco and his sister, Joyce Marie Bellar of Lake Dallas.

His daughter would like to thank the staff in the Coronary Care Unit at Denton Medical City for their attentive care of David Harrell as well as the accommodations to her family so that they could be by his side as he passed.