Walter David Counts, Jr.

COUNTS, JR., WALTER DAVID (1936 ~ 2023). The following is an obituary for David Counts, former member of the Texas House of Representatives. The obituary was provided by Smith Family Funeral Home of Knox City.

THE HONORABLE DAVID COUNTS, Knox City, Texas

The Honorable David Counts, a former state representative, Grand Master of the Masons of Texas, and a Brigadier General (Brevet) in the Texas Army National Guard, died at his home in Midland, Texas, Friday, August 18, 2023. Born to Walter and Alma Counts in Munday, Texas, on July 14, 1936, David, officially named Walter David Counts, Jr., was raised and graduated high school in Rule, Texas.

After high school graduation in 1954, David attended West Texas State University and North Texas State University. On July 15, 1956, a day after turning 20 years old, he married the love of his life and soul mate for the next 67 years, the former Mary Mullins of Haskell, Texas. Together David and Mary moved to Knox City where they raised two children, Patti and David III.

In 1953, David joined the Texas Army National Guard, beginning a 32-year career as a member of the Armed Forces, retiring in 1984 at the rank of Colonel, later receiving a Brevet promotion to Brigadier General. He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and received many decorations and awards, including the General K.L. Bailey Award for heroism and the Minute Man Award for outstanding service.

His many years in Knox City saw his founding of Counts Insurance Agency, which he owned and operated for 35 years, and Counts Real Estate, which only recently closed. Throughout his Knox City tenure he also served as VP and director of Rolling Plains Well Service, and as president and chairman of Chap Operating. He had many interests and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to hold agricultural interests in wheat and cotton producing farms, as well as ranches in Knox, Haskell and Stonewall counties.

His statewide service began in 1988 with his election to the Texas House of Representatives. Over a span of the next 15 years he served as an effective and productive legislator and representative of several counties scattered throughout the Big Country. During his legislative tenure, he served as a member of numerous committees, including the House Energy Committee, and for 10 years Rep. Counts was chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.

David was a proud Mason, a love affair that began in 1961 when he became a Master Mason, and culminated with his service in 2008-2009 as Grand Master of Texas. His civic involvement included several years as a director of the Knox City Chamber of Commerce, and he is a past president of the Chamber. In 1979 he was named Knox City’s Most Appreciated Citizen. He was a decades-long member of Knox City Lions Club, the National Guard Association of Texas, and he and Mary were members of First Baptist Church, Knox City, among many other civic and religious organizations.

David is preceded in death by his father, Walter, his mother Alma, and sister Pat Grimsley. He is survived by wife Mary of Midland, daughter Patti Counts Holmes (Steve) of Aledo, son David III (Jill) of Midland, sister Cheryl Robinson (Bobby) of Rule, four grandchildren, Seth Barnett (Jenni) of Ft. Worth, Jennifer McCann (Josh) of Mahomet, Illinois, Sarah Grace (Jacob) of Lubbock, Matthew Counts (Allie) of Midland, and eight great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation, P.O. Box 2156, Waco, Texas, 76703 or www.txmcf.org. The family wishes to express its gratitude to Midland Memorial Hospital and Home Hospice of Midland/Odessa.

Visitation is set for Wednesday, August 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home, Knox City. Service to be held Thursday, August 24th at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Knox City. Graveside Friday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Knox City.