David H. Minniear passed away peacefully on May 1, 2021 in Hampton, Virginia.

David was born on September 6, 1931 to J. Harry and Blanche Minniear in Huntington County, Indiana.  He was raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Rock Creek High School in 1949.  In December 1950 he joined the United States Air Force and served until December 1954.  In October of 1953 he married Evelyn Curry and they were married for over 67 years.  After leaving the Air Force he went to Purdue University and graduated from the school of Aviation Technology in 1958.  He started his career as a Field Service Engineer with McDonnell Aircraft Company in St. Louis and worked with F-4 Phantoms (earning the nickname "The Phantom Doctor") and F-15 Eagles.  His work took him to many assignments around the United States as well as Vietnam, Korea, and Europe for over 32 years.  In 1991 he retired from McDonnell and found a new vocation being a docent at the Virginia Air & Space Center giving tours to school children and adults, volunteering over 4,000 hours to share his knowledge and love for anything aeronautical and aerospace related.  David was also a long-time member of St Mark's United Methodist Church in Hampton holding many positions in the Church, active in the Methodist Men's group and greeting people at the door on Sundays.  His mother Blanche, father Harry, sister Wilma, and brother Joseph preceded him in death.  He is survived by his wife Evelyn, son Thomas, daughter Ann, grandson Brian, and granddaughter Bre'.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 13, 2021 from 5-7 pm in the Family Life Center at St. Mark's UMC.

A Celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 11 am in the sanctuary at St. Mark's UMC, 99 East Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA.  Thanks for wearing a mask.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mark's UMC Memorial Fund or a favorite charity.

Interment will be a private service at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA.