David Ingram

David Ray Ingram passed away peacefully at his home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas surrounded by those he loved on November 26, 2022, at the age of 77 years. David was born on November 25, 1945, in Thayer, Missouri to Ervin (Doc) Ingram and Opal Marie (Blankenship) Ingram.

   A ‘wild child” growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, David challenged his parents being the oldest son with 3 older sisters and later two brothers. Life was not always easy as David grew up poor. His youth was spent working to help the family have the necessities of life. David took the lessons his parents taught him (sometimes rather harshly), picked them up, brushed them off, buffed them, and used them in his life. He worked hard to get where he was and without a doubt, he was successful in supporting himself and his many hobbies.

  David was not always an easy man to get along with. He was not a patient person but those who knew and loved him saw beneath his hard exterior and saw a loving, generous, and kind person. For those people that he loved and were important in his life (despite their quirks) David always protected, sometimes forgave, but always underneath all he kept loving them.

   David was fiercely independent and private in many ways but did not like living alone.  

  In October 2008, David met Bebe Gray, his side kick, best friend, life partner and often partner in crime. He shared the last 14 years of his life with Bebe with her constantly by his side. Approximately two years later David was diagnosed with Cancer. Although it did not alter their lifestyle, the fight was on. David went through many different treatments trying to beat the disease and Bebe was right there to offer encouragement and help with all aspects of his battle for survival. They were successful for several years as they were able to travel with his nephew, Chris Thompson and wife Paula. Spotting wildlife on their dirt-roading adventures was something they enjoyed many late afternoons. David loved to hunt and fish and was able to do that for several years until the disease progressed.

   David was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Verlene Thompson and husband Archie Jim, two brothers Charley and George Thomas Ingram.  

  He is survived by his wife, Bebe Gray of the home, two children, David and La Donna, two sisters Louise Galloway and husband Russell of Oklahoma, Irene Spoor and husband Hollis of Oklahoma., two grandsons John D W Crews and Luke D Crews, five grandchildren Aaylia, Troy, Kaylie, Odin, and Osiris Crews. Bebe’s children, Martin Gray, Sabrina King and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

  David will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Robinson Memorials of Thayer to help purchase a headstone to be placed at the burial site in the Thayer Cemetery. Anita Humphreys will be acting as treasurer for this fund.

  Visitation will be Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.