David Comstock

David Comstock, 60, a resident of Fayetteville, passed away Feb. 1, 2013, after a courageous battle with ALS. He was born July 9, 1952, at Tulsa, Okla., the son of Roy and Doris Cannady Comstock. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy, and his stepfather, Don Owings. David served in the United States Army as a military police officer from 1972-1975 and was stationed in Japan during part of his service. He was an officer with the Tulsa Police Department from 1976 until 1982, when he joined the United States Marshals Service, where he honorably served until his retirement in 2009. During his 27 years with the Marshals Service, he earned the Firearms Distinguished Expert award in marksmanship and was an armorer and firearms instructor; was awarded the U.S. Dept of Justice Volunteer Service Award; served in the protection of United States Supreme Court Justices Blackmon, Ginsburg and Thomas; responded to the Oklahoma City bombing, Terror Stop in New York City and Hurricane Katrina. David joined the Boy Scouts of America when he was nine, earning the rank of Eagle Scout at 16. He was a Cub Master and Scout Master, established Law Enforcement Explorer Post 72 and Venture Crew 72 in Washington County, and was awarded the William H. Spurgeon III Exploring Award, the District Award of Merit, and the Silver Beaver Award by the WestArk Council. In 1996, he established Venture Weekend on Ropes at Camp Orr on the Buffalo River which he led until 2012, teaching thousands of adults and youth rock-climbing and rappelling. David was a search-and-rescue volunteer in Washington County from 1996 until 2012, serving as team leader for more than 15 years. He was FEMA certified, was an instructor for the National Association for Search and Rescue and was recognized as Instructor of the Year in 2004; he was also an instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commission, teaching cave rescue throughout the United States. He loved history, the wilderness and his family. David will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Christy, and stepson, Ezra Smith of Fayetteville; two sons, Scott Comstock of Bentonville and Brian Comstock and wife, Nicole, and beloved granddaughter, Olivia Kate, of Prairie Grove; daughter, Kayla Hogue of Miami, Okla.; his mother, Doris Owings, and sister, Becky Peak of Tulsa, Okla.; his brother, Tim Comstock and wife, Meg, of Garland, Texas; in-laws, Lewis and Carol Ferguson of Witcherville, Ark.; and a host of sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly. Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in David's honor to: The Buffalo River Foundation, P.O. Box 55, Ponca, AR 72670. Arrangements are under the direction of the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove, Ark. Online guest book, www.luginbuel.com.