Funeral services for David Callaham, Sr., age 86, of Madisonville, will be held 11 A.M., Saturday, January 5, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Madisonville. Rev. Jim Jackson, pastor of the church, will officiate the service. Interment will be in Madisonville Cemetery. A public visitation will take place Friday, January 4th from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Madisonville Funeral Home.

David Lee Callaham (86) of Madisonville passed away peacefully January 1, 2019 after a brief battle with lung cancer. David was born February 15, 1932 in Navasota, Texas to David I. and Essie D. (Hadaway) Callaham of Shiro, Texas.

After graduation from Navasota High School in 1948, David attended Sam Houston State Teacher’s College, where he met and later married Eva Jean Farris from Huntsville, Texas. The couple met and began dating while both were enrolled in a Bible course in college. David graduated in 1953 with a BS in Vocational Ag Education. Although he never taught, David held many jobs that were in agriculture related fields. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1955 and was released in 1959 with an honorable discharge.

David began roping at an early age. He roped calves all through high school and college. He and others helped to organize the first national Inter-collegiate rodeo at Sam Houston in 1952.

The couple had several moves and finally settled in Madisonville in 1962. David owned and operated Callaham Soil Service for the next ten plus years. He later owned Callaham Feed, Automatic Gas Company and was an Ag loan officer at the Farmer State Bank. In 1997 he was elected for two terms as Madison County Commissioner and served in this position until 2004. At that time David turned his full attention to his cattle operation.

David was an active member in the Madisonville community. He was president of The Sidewalk Cattleman’s Association for the 24th and 25th years of the organization’s history. David also served in various other capacities within the organization. He served on the MCISD School Board and was on the Board of Directors of the Farmer State Bank of Madisonville. He was a director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. David was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Madisonville.

David was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Martin W. Simonton; his wife of almost 64 years, Eva Jean (Farris) Callaham and his brother in law, James Farris.

He is survived by his daughters Donna Morgan and husband Les of Lexington, Diann Shiver and husband Don of Madisonville, and son Dave Callaham and wife Crystal of Madisonville. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ryan Morgan and wife Hannah of Humble, Cody Morgan of Lexington, D.L. Shiver, Dex Shiver, Trey Callaham, Delaney Callaham and Dillon Callaham all of Madisonville and great grandchild Addison Morgan of Humble.

David is survived by sisters in law Lucille Benthall and husband Fred, Winnie Sandel and husband Joe, and sister in law Norma Farris all of Huntsville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would also like to acknowledge special friends Betty and Carroll West and Jan and Dave Ward.

Care Givers: Gladys Randle, Marilyn Brown, Deborah Brown, Pam Mosley

Memorials may be made to the Madisonville Cemetery, Madison County Museum, and the First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas.

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