David Richard Showman reposed on April 12, 2014, aged 58. David was born in Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada to American missionary parents, the middle child of three boys. He grew up in Iowa and Texas and various missionary bases. David's deep personal faith and love of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ grew from an early age. David graduated from Tyler Street Christian Academy in Dallas, Texas and later attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. While a junior at ORU, David met freshman Carla Witt and immediately challenged her to a foot race up the cafeteria stairs. David won both the race and the affections of Carla. They married in the summer of 1978. David and Carla settled in Tulsa and brought four children into the world. In 1988 the family moved to Somerset County, Pennsylvania and continued to grow to eight children-five boys and three girls. David and Carla were always very active in the churches they attended and often served as lay ministers. The Showman family returned to Tulsa in 1998.
David worked as a machinist and C&C operator for Cimarron Manufacturing for more than a decade. The Showman's were active in a number of local churches. David and Carla were introduced to the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith by their daughter Johanna Mae and joined the family of St. Anthony's Orthodox Church. David and Carla were eagerly anticipating their upcoming chrismation into the Orthodox faith before David's untimely passing.
David was an avid reader and enjoyed researching any topic. David deeply enjoyed being a basketball coach in his children's homeschool basketball leagues. He loved telling stories of his cherished childhood years with his two brothers, Homer and John Showman. He enjoyed singing for his children and his church. His greatest delight of all was being a husband, father, and grandfather, a job he did exceptionally well.
Those close to him will always remember him as a kind, joyful, and deeply loving man, who was quiet, humble, and wise beyond his years. He was slow to anger and quick to forgive. His gentleness and compassion towards others flowed out of his sincere devotion to his Creator. His walk of faith was steady and true.
David was welcomed at the gates of heaven by his loving parents Homer and Ellen Showman and his beautiful daughter he missed so much, Johanna Mae. Until they meet again he will be missed by his devoted wife Carla and his children who admired him greatly, Joshua and Leanne, Jillian and Nathanael, Jihrleah, Jessica and James, Jordana and Adam, Jonathan, Josiah, and beautiful grandchildren.
He ran the race… and won.
Trisagion Service will be Tuesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m., and Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 16, both at St. Anthony's Orthodox Church. Interment will be at Rolling Oaks Cemetery, Tulsa.
FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151