David Hovda
1951-05-30 2021-06-11
Our loving husband, father, and son David H Hovda entered eternal rest on July 11th, 2021 at the age of 70. To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his loving wife of 44 years Lola Jean Hovda (Helmer); three sons Jonathan, Joshua, and Jordan (Kelly); grandchildren Jace, Lily, Asher, and Corbin; his parents Hjalmer and Gretchen Hovda; brothers Allan (Debby), Hans (Connie), sisters Gretchen and Hannah (Craig); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
David Hjalmer Hovda was born on May 30th, 1951, the second child of five children born to Hjalmer (Buddy) Hovda and Gretchen (Theimer) Hovda and was baptized into God’s Kingdom of Grace on the 24th of June 1951. His parents, being very strong in their Christian faith, thought it a priority that their children be brought up with those same values. In accordance with that David attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Mercedes, Texas. While attending, he joined the beginners’ band at Mercedes Junior High, playing flute, coronet, baritone, and tuba. While attending Mercedes High School, David was involved in athletics as well as band, playing football, baseball, basketball, and running track. He was awarded the “Most Valuable All-Around Athlete Award” his senior year and was also a member of the Key Club and “M” Association.
David was offered football scholarships at Wisconsin and an appointment to West Point but settled on playing football at Texas A& I in Kingsville, where an accident kept him from pursuing collegiate athletics. While there, he earned a degree in health, physical education, math, and geography, which was his favorite subject to teach. He would always be teaching and sharing his knowledge of the world with family and strangers. Throughout the summer and days off from school David would work on the family farm: driving tractors, chopping sunflowers, stomping cotton, mowing neighbors’ yards, and milking his pet cow Rosita.
David’s first teaching and coaching job was in Zapata, Texas. From there he accepted a coaching/teaching position in Harlingen, Texas, where he coached for nine years. It was in Harlingen that he met and married Lola jean Helmer on August 7th, 1976 at the First Christian Church in San Benito. They were blessed with three sons: Jonathan, Joshua, and Jordan. Following Harlingen, he moved his family to Poteet Texas, where he was the head coach at Poteet High School for three years. David accepted a position as a new coach at William Howard Taft High School in San Antonio during its second year open. While coaching and teaching there for 23 years, he was able to work with generations of young men that worked very hard. There were fun times, and they all loved him, some may be better than others. Working with the coaching staff at Taft was a blessing.
In 2009, David retired from education but continued to work with his friends and students at games throughout the school year. He devoted his free time to many activities that ultimately helped others. He enjoyed golfing daily with his wife, former colleagues, and friends. His free time allowed him to serve his Lord as an Elder at Our Savior Lutheran Church. David never met a stranger, and talking, laughing, sharing his knowledge of the world, and spreading the Gospel to others came beautifully to him. He was always ready to help his children, and he especially adored his grandchildren Jace “The Ace”, “My Little” Lily, Asher “The Smasher”, and Gunnar “The Runner”.
David Hjalmer Hovda was born on May 30th, 1951, the second child of five children born to Hjalmer (Buddy) Hovda and Gretchen (Theimer) Hovda and was baptized into God’s Kingdom of Grace on the 24th of June 1951. His parents, being very strong in their Christian faith, thought it a priority that their children be brought up with those same values. In accordance with that David attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Mercedes, Texas. While attending, he joined the beginners’ band at Mercedes Junior High, playing flute, coronet, baritone, and tuba. While attending Mercedes High School, David was involved in athletics as well as band, playing football, baseball, basketball, and running track. He was awarded the “Most Valuable All-Around Athlete Award” his senior year and was also a member of the Key Club and “M” Association.
David was offered football scholarships at Wisconsin and an appointment to West Point but settled on playing football at Texas A& I in Kingsville, where an accident kept him from pursuing collegiate athletics. While there, he earned a degree in health, physical education, math, and geography, which was his favorite subject to teach. He would always be teaching and sharing his knowledge of the world with family and strangers. Throughout the summer and days off from school David would work on the family farm: driving tractors, chopping sunflowers, stomping cotton, mowing neighbors’ yards, and milking his pet cow Rosita.
David’s first teaching and coaching job was in Zapata, Texas. From there he accepted a coaching/teaching position in Harlingen, Texas, where he coached for nine years. It was in Harlingen that he met and married Lola jean Helmer on August 7th, 1976 at the First Christian Church in San Benito. They were blessed with three sons: Jonathan, Joshua, and Jordan. Following Harlingen, he moved his family to Poteet Texas, where he was the head coach at Poteet High School for three years. David accepted a position as a new coach at William Howard Taft High School in San Antonio during its second year open. While coaching and teaching there for 23 years, he was able to work with generations of young men that worked very hard. There were fun times, and they all loved him, some may be better than others. Working with the coaching staff at Taft was a blessing.
In 2009, David retired from education but continued to work with his friends and students at games throughout the school year. He devoted his free time to many activities that ultimately helped others. He enjoyed golfing daily with his wife, former colleagues, and friends. His free time allowed him to serve his Lord as an Elder at Our Savior Lutheran Church. David never met a stranger, and talking, laughing, sharing his knowledge of the world, and spreading the Gospel to others came beautifully to him. He was always ready to help his children, and he especially adored his grandchildren Jace “The Ace”, “My Little” Lily, Asher “The Smasher”, and Gunnar “The Runner”.