David Warren Bourland

On April 29, 2024, David Warren Bourland, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dave was born in El Paso, Texas on January 3, 1936, to Blanche Naumann and Willard Bourland.

Dave grew up in El Paso, graduating from Austin High School in 1954. After graduation, he was chosen to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He distinguished himself by becoming the Army’s starring quarterback for the 1956 and 1957 football seasons. He was chosen to play in the All-Star East West Shrine Football Classic in San Francisco during his senior year which put him in touch with an old friend, Nina Scholes, who had been studying there at the University of California, Berkley. They decided it was time to develop their relationship. After graduation, Dave attended jump school and Ranger training at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He then spent a year in Korea before he and Nina could get married. That momentous occasion occurred on June 25, 1960. Upon his return home and his marriage to Nina, he was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky with the 101^st Airborne Division. He became the division's football coach and distinguished himself as the player coach to win the division trophy. In 1963, he was detailed back to West Point for a year to help coach freshmen. At this point, Dave decided to pursue civilian life, along with Nina and their two boys, Bob and Mark. The Bourland’s set out to have many adventures, taking them from Arizona to California and finally back to Texas where they lived near Fort Worth until his passing. From coaching to aerospace to self-employment, Dave and Nina spent many years enjoying their lives.

Dave became a Christian in his 30’s and loved the Lord with his whole heart. He spent many years serving Him and trying to help others know Him as well. 

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Blanche and Willard Bourland; his two sisters.

Dave is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nina Jean Bourland; his sons, Mark and Lynda, and Robert Bourland; his in-laws, Virgina and Wilber Scholes; his brother-in-law, Lee and Lori Scholes; his grandchildren, Cole Bourland, Connor Bourland, Noah Bourland, Joshua Bourland, Asher Bourland, Gabriel Bourland, Anna Bourland, and Zeke Bourland; his great-grandchildren, Olivia, Chloe, Abby, Zachary, Samuel, and Benjamin Bourland; his niece, Jennifer Kent.

Dave will be terribly missed, but we know he is at peace in the house of the Lord. We look forward to being with him again at Jesus’s feet.