David Waldo

David Waldo, 81, of St. Clair, MO passed away peacefully at his home late Tuesday, January 10, 2023 surrounded by his family.

David Keith Waldo was born September 7, 1941 in Kirkwood, MO the son of Lester and Alice (Mitchell) Waldo.  He grew up attended school at House Springs before moving with his family to the Sullivan area.  David graduated in the class of 1959 from Sullivan High School.  After attending the University of Missouri briefly, he came back to work on the family farm.  Eventually David went to work in the mechanical field with his Dad and Uncle.  David was united in marriage to Judith Helms on May 28, 1961 at First Baptist Church, Sullivan.  They were blessed with two children, Crystal and Darren.

In 1969, along with his father Lester, Warren Hulsey, Bryce Hulsey, and Bob Hulsey, together they founded Associated Crafts and the company became a resource for many local young men working in the trades.  As time went on, David was involved in several business endeavors and in 1986, he solely invested his efforts into their family business, Pro-Tec Mechanical.  The year 2002 brought a move for David and Judy when they relocated to their home at Lake of the Ozarks.  During their time at the lake they immensely enjoyed the lake and also worked some too.  In 2009, they decided to leave the lake life and returned back to the family farm in St. Clair.

In his younger years, David enjoyed driving fast boats and riding dirt bikes and enjoyed the “need for speed” in his later years according to his family. David was a hardworking individual and throughout his life learned how to play hard too.  When David had spare time, he enjoyed farming, hunting, and fishing. Above all, he treasured the moments he could spend with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

David is survived by Judith, his wife of 62 years; his children, Crystal Hamer and her  husband, Bob and Darren Waldo and his wife, Caren all of St. Clair; five grandchildren: Jane Buchanan and her husband Jason of St. Clair, Rob Hamer and his wife, Sarah of Washington, MO, Tiana Benningfield and her husband Nick of St. Clair, Tawny Taylor and her husband, Joe of St. Clair, and Kyler Waldo (Piper Jones) of Union, MO; ten great-grandchildren:  Nakota, Jaxon, Aubrey, Miles, Griffin, Ophelia, Chleo, Henley, Merritt, & Jensen; and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Alice; and two sisters, Pauline Palecek and Dorothy Bailey.

Services will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, MO with Pastor Mary Ann Hamer officiating.  Following the service cremation arrangements will take place.

Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, January 16, 2023 at the Eaton Funeral Home. 

Memorial contributions may be given in David’s memory to Mercy Hospice.

Friends may share online condolences with David’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Sullivan.