David Phillip Bichrest

David Phillip Bichrest, age 80, of Lumberton, Texas passed surrounded by family on Tuesday October 11th, 2022. David was born December 10th, 1941, to Aretta Johnson and Francis Bichrest.

David was born and raised by a loving extended family in Cundy’s Harbor, a small fishing village in Southern Maine. He was raised with a deep respect for the water. He loved working alongside his family members fishing for lobster, digging clams and crabbing. David graduated from Brunswick High School in 1960. It was his love for the ocean that drew him to enlist in the United States Coast Guard. He served his country proudly for 20 years. A few highlights of his military career include, in 1964 he received the Coast Guard Medal for heroism while serving aboard the US Coast Guard Coos Bay for rescuing a drowning man from a sinking ship off the coast of Labrador. Later that year he was stationed on Wood Island off the coast of Maine, where he was the lighthouse keeper for three years. In 1971, he served in Thoi, Vietnam aboard the Cook Inlet. In the late 1970’s David served as captain of the US Coast Guard, Point Hannon where he served in Maine and Key West protecting the coast of the United States. During his military career he received numerous medals, ribbons and citations including: the Coast guard Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Good Conduct Ribbon with Silver Star, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal,  Republic of Vietnam Training Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Unity Citation with Palm, Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal with Two Bronze Stars, U.S. Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Officer in charge Insignia, Cutterman’s Insignia and Coxswain insignia along with numerous Marksmanship Ribbons and Expert Rifle Medals. David proudly retired from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1980 as an E-9 – Boatswain’s Mate Master Chief Petty Officer. David’s love for the outdoors, hunting and fishing lead him to an equally rewarding career as a Winchester Firearms Consultant. Over the years he built his private business and professional reputation as an expert in his field. David served as President of the Winchester Arms Collector’s Association as well as Secretary for the organization. Over the years, he wrote numerous articles on Winchester Collectable firearms and recently he published a book, Winchester Model 54 Bolt Action Rifle: 1925 to 1936. This was a lifetime goal for him. His family is incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication it took to see his book through to completion. Family was extremely important to David. He was especially proud of his daughters and the lives they built for themselves. In 1998, during a chance meeting in the coffee room of a small bank in Texas, he met the love of his life, Letha June Clark. A short year later they were married and happily joined their families (his daughters and June’s son and daughter). He was humbled by the welcome he received by his new Texas family. David and June spent 23 of his happiest years building a wonderful life in Texas. In 2014 David and his long time Coast Guard friend, Charlie Worrell built a gun for auction for the Former Texas Ranger Foundation. They recognized his generosity and was bestowed with the honorary title of Captain in the Former Texas Ranger Foundation. It was an honor that he was especially proud of.

David is survived by his wife of 23 years– Letha June Bichrest, and a large and loving family of six daughters; Cynthia Moody of Cundy’s Harbor, Maine, Vida Leeman and husband Jerry of Cundy’s Harbor, Maine, Teresa Mann and husband Pat of Brunswick, Maine, Meredith Williams and husband Andrew of Freeport, Maine, Michelle Shipley and husband Aaron of Lewis Center, Ohio, and Edith Cram and husband Matthew of West Bath, Maine, step-daughter Tina Johnson and husband Jesse of Baytown, Texas and step-son Jonathan Stracener and wife Stacey of Cypress, Texas along with many grand and great-grandchildren.

David is predeceased by his mother Aretta Johnson, stepfather Roger Allard, father Francis Bichrest and grandson, Navy Engineman 2nd Class, Austin T. Williams.

A private graveside service will be held October 15, 2022, at Mattox Cemetery – Wiergate, Texas.

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