David Gaines Sylvester

Memorial services for David Gaines Sylvester, 81, of Stillwater, OK are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 27, 2009 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Stillwater, OK with Rev. Rick Hendricks and Rev. Bill Inglish officiating. Interment will be held at 2:30 P.M. at the Pawhuska City Cemetery, Pawhuska, OK. Services are under the direction of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater.
Mr. Sylvester was born on December 17, 1927 in Lead Hill, AR to Raleigh and Avis (Gaines) Sylvester. He grew up and attended schools in Blytheville, AR where he graduated high school in 1945. He enlisted in the United States Army during which time he was sent to study Engineering at Texas A&M. When WWII ended, he moved to Stillwater, OK and enrolled in Oklahoma A&M College where he was a member of Sigma Chi. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. He married Mary Margaret Culver on September 7, 1949 in Pawhuska, OK. She preceded him in death on June 13, 2005.
David began working for Sherman Machine and Iron Works in OKC in 1950 and remained there until 1956. He began his own construction company while in OKC. He moved his family and his construction business to Holdenville where he worked with and was mentored by Veldo Brewer and George McMichael (owners of Brewer and McMichael Construction). In the mid-1970s he and Mary moved to Stillwater to be close to OSU and all of the activities associated with the university. In 2003, he and Mary moved to Ponca City for a short time. It was then that he closed his business, but he spent the next two years working as a consultant for the city of Stillwater on several infrastructure projects. He retired when the projects were completed. He and Mary were long time members of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was a member of the OSU Alumni Association and the Holdenville chapter of VFW. He was a Mason and a Registered Professional Engineer. He and Mary followed OSU sports very closely, especially basketball and baseball in their later years. David passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 in Stillwater.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; and one brother, Tommy.
He is survived by one daughter, Gay Nelle Norris and her husband, Richard of Ponca City, OK; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members and beloved friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Davids name to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent using our online guestbook at www.pmcfh.com