On May 12, 2023, David Jaquess went to be the Lord after a three-year battle with cancer.

In 1949, David's journey began in a small town in West Texas called Earth. Under his father's leadership, David found his love of camping and the outdoors in Boy Scouts earning the rank of Eagle Scout at age thirteen. He married his high school sweetheart, Connie Kelley, in 1972, and they moved to Lubbock, TX where David excelled at Edward's Electronics growing the small business in multiple locations all while completing his bachelor's degree at Texas Tech University. Thirteen years later, God stirred David's heart towards full-time ministry. Knowing it would be a dramatic pay cut, David followed the Lord's leading and joined Melonie Park Baptist Church's staff as the Pastor of Christian Education. Traveling from Lubbock to Dallas each summer, David completed his masters from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1990. From Melonie Park, David was sent as a missionary to build a camp from the ground up called Fort Lone Tree in Capitan, NM. There, he implemented his Leadership Development program to train teenagers to become camp counselors using Biblical servant leadership strategies.  In 1998, David became the executive director of New Life Ranch in Concord, OK. Under David's eighteen-year tenue, New Life Ranch expanded its facilities, its capacity for ministry, and community outreach. After his retirement in December 2014, he traveled to other camps offering his wisdom and insights until his health prevented him from continuing.

He was preceded in death by his father, Travis W. Jaquess; his mother, Velma Dean "White" Jaquess; and his sister, Judy "Jaquess" Thomas.

He is survived by his wife Connie "Kelley" Jaquess; son, Travis Jaquess (wife Rebecca) of Tyler, TX; daughter, Julie "Jaquess" Liniger (husband Bobby) of Tulsa, OK; his sister, Alice "Jaquess" Patterson (husband John) of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Abigail Jaquess, David Liniger, Tyler Jaquess, and Katherine Liniger.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 27th, 2023, from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at New Life Ranch, 160 New Life Ranch Rd, Colcord, OK 74338 in the Soderquist Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the David Jaquess Memorial Fund supporting camper scholarships. Contributions can be mailed to New Life Ranch, 160 New Life Ranch Rd, Colcord, OK 74338 or visit www.newliferanch.com/david-jaquess-memorial-fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory.  On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.