David Surprise

David L. Surprise was born in WaKeeney, Kansas on March 7, 1933 to Charles and Audrey (Kenyon) Surprise. He lived there until he joined the Navy on June 8, 1951, where he served four years in Korea. On May 3, 1957, he married Norma Huber, and they resided in WaKeeney. They had four daughters, Roxanne, Melody, Kelley, and Lisa. He worked as a roughneck for one year, then attended Ft. Hays State College in Hays, KS. He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration, then went on to work at Farmers Co-ops in Russell, KS, Zurich, KS, Phillipsburg, KS, and Sidney, Nebraska. In 1971, they moved to Fairfax, OK, where he worked as the manager at Ralston Co-op. In 1998 he retired, but continued to work at the Ponca City Co-op for a few more years.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapshooting with his grandchildren and son-in-law's. He kept a large garden, where he spent time tending his vegetables. Many days he could be found in his gun room, building and assembling custom rifles and shotguns. In the 1970s, he started going to South Dakota, pheasant and deer hunting. These became annual trips that his grandsons and sons-in-law looked forward to and treasured. While working at Farmland, he attended an annual fishing trip to Lake Tenkiller. He also traveled to Canada to go fishing, got to see the Hawaiian Islands, and explored Alaska on a cruise with his wife. He enjoyed the many times spent hunting and fishing in the Big Bend area with friends Frosty Goad and Steve Myers. He could always be found at his grandchildren's sporting events. Through the years, many campfires were built, trot lines set, fish fried up, stories told, games attended, and clay targets shot.

He is survived by his wife Norma, daughters Roxanne Hopper and husband Ron of Ralston, OK, Melody Malaske and husband Vernon of Pawhuska, OK, Kelley Brumley and husband Bill of Ralston, OK, and Lisa Ben and husband Dr. Michael Ben. Grandchildren include J.D. Gibson and wife Jenni of Ponca City, OK, Megan Perry and husband Mark of Champaign, IL, Tyler Malaske and fiancé Brandi Wilcox of Bartlesville, OK, Jennifer Brumley, Cole Brumley, Lane Brumley, all of Ralston, OK, and Michael Ben, Steven Ben, and Sarah Ben of Ralston, OK. Great-grandchildren are Marlee and Sawyer Gibson and Jude and Blair Perry. His surviving sister is Jane Buchholz and husband LaVerne of Hillsboro, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dell Surprise, Curtis Surprise, and Boyd Surprise. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Fairfax, OK. Pastors George Weston and Brian Doyle will officiate. Interment will follow at the Fairfax Cemetery, under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include grandsons JD Gibson, Tyler Malaske, Michael Ben, Steven Ben, Cole Brumley, and Lane Brumley. Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Myers, George Weston, Wayne Robbins, Dr. James Graham, Sandy Parker, Gerald Wynes, Jeff Miller, James Cowan, Gary Moon, Ray Conner, and Jim Hadlock.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 152 N. Fourth Street, Fairfax OK 74637.

Family and friends may leave online condolences or share memories at www.hunsakerwootenfuneralhome.com

Visitation

HunsakerWooten Funeral Home Chapel
201 N. 4th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637
Monday, February 13, 2017
3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First Christian Church
152 N. 4th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
10 a.m.

Cemetery

Fairfax Cemetery
600 S. 8th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637

Memorial Contributions

First Christian Church
152 N. 4th Street
Fairfax, OK  74637