David Chenot

David Walter Chenot, born August 23, 1925, in Long Beach, CA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 11, 2016. He was married to Annabel Chenot (Ambuel) for 41 years until her death in 1992. He was then married to Gale Chenot (Sparks) for 22 years. David is survived by his wife Gale Marie, seven children, twenty one grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Dick Chenot. They were close throughout their lives. They raised their families spending as much time together as possible on vacations and holidays. David was known as “Brainy” and Dick as “Veiny”. He was also preceded in death by his three half-sisters, Isabel Bradley, Winnifred Chenot, and Marie Perkins.

He proudly served in the US Navy during WWII as part of the “Greatest Generation Era” where he served in the US Naval mine sweeping force. David’s career as a Petroleum Engineer spanned 68 years. The majority of his career was spent in Bakersfield working for Shell Oil, Occidental Petroleum, WZI Inc. and Macpherson Oil. He even began his own consulting company, Optimum Reservoir Engineering, at the age of 88!

David became a follower of Jesus Christ early in life. His love for the Lord was the foundation of his life. His personal faith in God was reflected in every aspect of living. He was known for his generosity and kindness to all he came in contact with. Throughout his life David was an active member of his church. He served as a Sunday school teacher, a leader of home based Bible studies, and a deacon. Most recently he and Gale had been attending and serving at CrossRoads Christian Fellowship. He served as a tutor in their after school learning program until his health prevented him from continuing.

David was a life-long member of the Bakersfield Racquet Club. Physical fitness was extremely important to him. He was well known as a “Nooner” who played tennis with his friends daily at the noon-time hour. Along with tennis he enjoyed camping and hiking. Later in life he enjoyed golf.

David loved to travel the world. He traveled extensively throughout his life. In the later years he and Gale incorporated visits with grandchildren in their travels. They also enjoyed many cruises with close friends.

He loved to garden. His passion for beauty was reflected in the lovely gardens he created at every home he occupied.

At a recent family gathering when asked for his advice on how to live a happy and successful life he quoted Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. His advice to all his family was: “Follow the Lord!”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Franklin Graham’s Samaritans Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or the Bakersfield Homeless Center, http://bakhc.org/.

Private Interment will be at Bakersfield National Cemetery and a memorial service will take place Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 pm at CROSSROADS Christian Fellowship, 2500 Fairfax Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93306.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
1:00 PM