Lt. Col Davis “Papa” Bullock Conkling,US Air Force Retired, of Houston, Texas went to be with the Lord on October 23rd, 2026. Dave was born December,1933 in Des Moines, Iowa to the late Ellis William Conkling and Dorothy Mary Bullock Conkling. He was a graduate of Texas A&M University in 1955 with a BS degree in civil engineering and a graduate of Oklahoma City University in 1976 with a master’s degree in management.

Following graduation from Texas A&M Dave married Nan Finney of Pasadena, Texas. Nan was the daughter of the late John Franklin Finney and Mary Collier Finney. Shortly after their marriage Dave entered the US Air Force for what turned out to be a 24-year career. While in the Air Force he completed flight school and had flying assignments at McChord AFB, Washington and Hicham AFB, Hawaii with the Military Air Transport Command as an aircraft commander flying C-118 (DC-6).

While in Washington his wife Nan gave birth to their first 2 children, Catherine and Carolyn. While in Hawaii she gave birth to their next 2 children, Cheryl and Davy. Following his assignment in Hawaii Dave spent about the next 5 years in Los Angeles, California with the Space Systems Division and was involved in the Air Force space program in support of NASA’s Gemini program and the Atlas space booster. Following California Dave and the family were transferred to Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey where he again piloted the C-118 flying passengers throughout Turkey and Europe. From Turkey Dave was sent to Phan Rang, Vietnam as a C-123 pilot. While there he was the squadron operations officer and instructor pilot teaching the Vietnamese pilots to fly the C-123 mission. While in Vietnam Dave was awarded theAir Force Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Air medals. Following Vietnam Dave was transferred to Tyndall AFB, Florida as the Chief of Operations and Maintenance in the Base Civil Engineering Squadron. Following the assignment in Florida Dave and the family were transferred to Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma where he was the Base Civil Engineer.

In 1979 after 24 years as an Air Force officer Dave retired and began life as a civilian and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. There Dave started his new career with Gulf Oil as a petroleum engineer involved in offshore oil production. He was later picked up by Chevron as part of a company acquisition. While in New Orleans their son Davy was tragically killed by a hit and run driver he had just turned 21. After several years in New Orleans Dave was transferred to Houston as part of a Chevron reorganization. Dave spent about 18 years in the oil industry before once again retiring.

While in Houston Dave became very active in Cypress United Methodist Church on various committees including the Finance Committee and the Pastor Staff Committee. Dave was also an active member of the Crusader Sunday School class. He also volunteered as a caregiver for the Gathering Program and enjoyed participating in the church’s 50 Plus program as well as the church trips. Dave and Nan also enjoyed the family vacations especially Gulf Shores Alabama and numerous cruises around the world. Another favorite was supporting his Aggie football team and tailgating before the games. He particularly enjoyed the games while he had 4 grandchildren attending Texas A&M.

Dave is survived by his 3 daughters Catherine Lackey and her husband Steve, Carolyn Peterson and her husband Bob and Cheryl Spelman and her husband Tom. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Dave was proceeded in death by his devoted and beloved wife Nan Finney Conkling, his sister Nancy Conkling Murrary, his son William Davis Conkling and his granddaughter Rachel Lynn Spelman.

The family will be having a private celebration of Dave’s life at Fort Sam National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Where he will be buried along with his wife Nan and son Davy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Cypress United Methodist Church.