David Sledge Obituary

David Bryan Sledge, age 79, of Longview, TX passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. David was born on December 28, 1945 in Dallas, TX to Harley Davidson Sledge and Hazel Marie Duckworth Sledge.
David graduated from Duncan High School and then went to Howard Payne University and the University of Oklahoma. He was drafted into the Navy and served four years fighting in Viet Nam. He was shot and critically injured just 3 days short of his return home date. He spent many months in the hospital recovering from his wounds along with many months of physical rehabilitation. He was honorably discharged after having received the Purple Heart for his actions in that gun battle. He also received the Bronze Medal for saving a young boy in a village being raided by his platoon. Afterwards he decided to go in to the physical fitness field due to not being able to fulfill his dream of becoming a surgeon because of his crippling injuries.
He spent many years in Midland working for Paul Thorpe Spas and eventually found his way to Mt. Pleasant, TX where he met his soon to be wife, Janet. They were married in 1984 having recently celebrated 40 years of marriage and raising two wonderful children. He was a loving husband, Dad, and Papa Sledge to his two beautiful grand daughters.
David's love of golf inspired him to move into that line of work and he directed the Junior Golf Camp at Pinecrest Country Club for many years. Some of those young people stayed in touch with David for many years and he loved working with them and watching them excel in the game of golf and in life. Some of his special students were more like friends and would text and come by to see him. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing the game of golf with everyone.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his sister Leighneil, and his sister Marla. Those left to cherish his memory and good times are his wife, Janet, his daughter Renae Lowe and her husband Charlie along with their children Ruby and Evie of Glasgow, Scotland, his son Brandon of Longview, TX. He is also survived by his brother Dennis and his wife Pam, of Midland, TX. Many nieces, nephews and cousins along with a large group of loving friends.
David will be missed by all those who knew him and we will miss his inspirational messages he would send to so many everyday.
If you wish to make a donation in David's memory he would be honored if you chose Buckner Children and Family Services as they held a special place in his heart as well as in his mother's heart.