David Wayne McCullough of Justin Texas passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022, at age 74, surrounded by friends and family after a short battle with Sepsis.  He was born in South Oak Cliff, Texas to Martin Young and Gladys Kathleen (Granny) McCullough on July 31, 1948.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Jean Marie McCullough.

David had three daughters and four grandchildren that he cherished…His first-born Patricia Yvonne Hale, her husband Gregory Hale and their son Micah David Hale, his second daughter Frances Kathleen Lira (Katie) and her children, Kayden Marie Lira, Addison Mae Lira and Gavin Michael Lira, and his youngest daughter Kelly Anne Sparks and her husband Alexander Sparks. With each child born into the family, David spoiled them, loved them and took great interest in them individually.  He had six very special nieces and nephews…Toni Zink, Amie Ortiz, Katie Spadafore, Michael Steadman, Lucas Lovejoy and Sam Lovejoy. He is also survived by his older brother Coy William McCullough of Texas and his older sister Patricia Yvonne Binder of Tennessee.

David is remembered most for his unfailing love of family, his iconic laugh, his mechanical genius, his love of racing, and his sense of humor that brought joy to all those he met. On his 50th birthday, David and Jeannie moved into their dream home in the country on three acres.  While raising their children, they had numerous animals including dogs, cats, birds, chickens and goats.  For David, this was a lifelong dream and a home he never grew tired of sharing with extended family and friends.  At age 46, David was baptized into the Christian faith at Irving Bible Church.  His childlike faith and trust in God would stay with him till he finished his race at age 74. At his request, his granddaughter Addison Lira sang Amazing Grace at his funeral then Amazing Grace was played on the bagpipes at his gravesite.

Through racing, David developed many lifelong friendships.  He willingly shared his mechanical knowledge, tools, driving expertise, tall tales and great sense of humor with all his race friends, both old and new.  He especially loved talking "shop" while teaching new drivers the turns, lines and ropes. He enthusiastically supported the accomplishments of other drivers and was always quick to congratulate them on all their achievements.

For 60 years, his childhood friend, Don Jordan raced alongside him, first racing slot cars at Action Speedway on Davis in Dallas with Mr. Clinkenbeard as their mentor. Then, in their 20's, Don played a key role in developing the race motors that powered numerous cars that they ran together.  Don made it possible for David to stay on the track all his life by sponsoring him, building engines with him, encouraging him and assisting track side.

In 1978, David and Trevor Bond built their friendship as well as their first 125CC KF lay-down shifter Kart and won the SWRRA Mid-America championship. They raced 125CC and Enduro Karts at Oak Hill Raceway, Hallett, Lake Afton, Ardmore, San Angelo and the Austin Aqua fest.  For the next 40 years they would build their families together, work on cars together, race together (or against each other) and share their love of racing together.

In 1994, David got his dream job as Shop Manager for Ishida Motorsports (former Pinnacle and now Concierge). There, his genius for fabrication and attention to detail promoted many of the cars that run in CVAR today.

David retired from Ishida Motorsports in 2004, but not from racing.  For the next 19 years, David competed in CVAR, loving every minute of it and continuing to make new friends. The core group of racers in David's circle called themselves the ROMEO Club…Retired Old Men Eating Out! Whether having breakfast at Mom's Café in Justin or sitting under an awning in fold up chairs at the races, talking all things racing, these men brought such a spark to David's life, and he to theirs!

In 2016 while David was racing the 1200 at TMS, he met Steve Smargiasso, a man whose love of racing and dedication to keeping David on the track proved fortuitous for both competitors. Forming a fast friendship including Steve's son Alex, they raced 510s together for the next 6 years. Steve sponsored the endeavor while David prepared the cars and Don Jordan prepared the motors. David and the team raced at MSR Houston, Hallett, Eagles Canyon, Texas Motor Speedway, MSR Cresson and COTA! Having the time of his life, David drove Steve's Roadster at Hallett in October 2022. It would prove to be his final lap.

David passed away on December 14, 2022, at 4:44 pm with over 40 friends and family members by his side. As a family, we prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Our Father at his bedside before he passed away.  As he left this world for the next, the whole family sang Amazing Grace.  He leaves a legacy of love for his family, his friends, his faith and his beloved racing.  It is a lucky man who devotes his entire life to something he truly loves.  David McCullough was one of the lucky ones.