David Wesley Babcock the son of Robert and Irma N. (Pinnell) Babcock was born April 7, 1943 at Arnold, Nebraska. He departed this life on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at the Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska at the age of 76 years.
Dave attended school in Arnold, NE and later graduated from Dunning High School with the class of 1961. On October 25, 1961 Dave was united in marriage to Pat Hable at Broken Bow, NE.
Dave had been employed a Kapals as a mechanic and also drove truck. While in Broken Bow Dave drove stock cars at the Custer County Fairgrounds until one night, he lost control jumped the track and hit a tree from that time on he stopped stock car racing and began Drag Racing with the family car. While in Broken Bow Gene was born and later Beth was born in Callaway. While in Broken Bow Dave had been an active member of the Jaycees. Dave then moved to Loup City, NE and worked for Darcy Erickson.
In 1971 Dave moved to Fairfield where he drove truck for WNX, had worked at T-Bone feed yard, he owned his own truck as well as began his own trucking business D&P Trucking.
Dave then moved to Hastings in 1984 and worked 42 years for Doonas of Grand Island which later became Nebraska Peterbilt. Dave had been married to Donna Brown in 1989 and this marriage ended in divorce. Dave made Spring Ranch his home in 1994.
Dave had been a long-time member of the Deweese Community Club, the Fairfield Community Club and the Community Presbyterian Church of which he had served as a Deacon. He had been very proud of the fact that he had been an official for the Deweese Demolition Derby for over 40 years. He had been a promoter for the antique tractor pull for 25 years. Dave had been inducted into the Nebraska Demolition Derby Hall of Fame in 2017. Dave had been a long-time collector of antique tractors and was one of his favorite hobbies.
In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, playing cards, playing golf, trap shooting, attending antique tractor pulls, he especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and the special trip they took to Halsey State Park.
Survivors include children: R. Gene Babcock and wife Kristi of Edgar, NE; Beth Schlichtman and husband Rob of Edgar, NE; D. Lee Babcock and wife Tracy of Fairfield, NE: grandchildren: James and Jessica Babcock and Maggie Schlichtman; sisters Colleen Babcock of Grand Island, NE; Dorothy Volz of Deweese, NE; Roberta Metz of Bladen, NE; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday 10:00 am November 9, 2019 at the Community Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, NE. Pastors Ivan and Joyce Dean will be officiating. Burial will be held at the Fairfield Cemetery, Fairfield, NE. The Babcock family is requesting memorials in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be sent to the family at wmsfh.com. Williams Funeral Home of Edgar, NE is in charge of the arrangements.
Williams Funeral Homes – Edgar Chapel telephone [402] 224 5315
