David Lee Hestand of Wichita Kansas, born November 13th 1941 in Cedar Vale Kansas to Dan Emory Hestand and Helen Viola Hestand, passed away April 4th 2025 at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

David proudly served two tours of duty in Vietnam for the 25th Infantry Brigade, US Army. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart after being wounded in action.

David was preceded in death by his parents and two daughters, Lola Hestand Brown and Kathy Deckard. Survived by his sisters Rosalie Dean and Danetta Judd. Also by his two sons Brad Hestand and Ron Meisch.

Having grown up in rural Cedar Vale Kansas, David's classroom was the great outdoors; hunting and fishing being some of his favorite pastimes. After his formal education through the 8th grade and living with his grandparents, David migrated to nearby Arkansas City Kansas. He found work as a ranch hand, or laborer on work in the outdoors.

Soon he began to test his skill and mettle in the rough sport of rodeo. His forte was bareback bronc riding, but he would try bull riding quite often also. He was never one to back down from a challenge and this rough and tumble sport was perfect for him and his buddies. Over the next 15-20 years he would win a lot of bronc and bull contests.

David grew up fast and experienced a couple of marriages early in his adult life. When he was single, Uncle Sam came calling and shipped him off to Vietnam where he valiantly served eighteen months covering the years of 1967 and 1968. Just like his teen years, David constantly sought challenges so he did many things for work; truck driver, plumbing apprentices, warehouse worker, molybdenum miner and small business owner operating his own rig and leasing the truck to fellow drivers.

Besides rodeo David had other interests. He came to love and be quite proficient at golf. He was a judge on the rodeo circuit. He never quit fishing and hunting. Late in life, he could watch rodeos, golf, or old westerns on tv for hours. David would tell you he never went to school enough to be "smart". He would slyly add, that he figured life gave him plenty of common sense. Those who knew and loved Dave would concur.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 at 11:00AM at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 E 21st N., Wichita, KS 67208. Graveside to follow.