David Keith Chastain

     Lt Col David Keith Chastain (USAF retired) passed away on September 14, 2022, after a brief illness.  He was 79 years old.  Born April 19th, 1943 in Medora, Indiana to Elbert and Dorothy Chastain, David was the fourth of eight children; Joy Lee, Gordon, Rolland, Sue, Stephen, Michael and Elizabeth.  He attended and graduated from Orleans H.S.  After graduation he attended Purdue University.

     David graduated from Purdue University in December 1966 and received his commission through the ROTC program.  He married Gayle Motsinger on January 22, 1966 in Salem, IN.  David served his country proudly for 24 years, beginning with pilot training at Webb AFB, Texas, in 1967, where his lifelong love of flying began.  In 1968 David was assigned to the 497 TFS, “Nite Owls”, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand.  During the following year David flew over 200 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom.  On his 14th mission he was shot down and awarded the Purple Heart.  In December 1969 the family moved to Hah AB, Germany.  During the next four years, David continued to fly the F-4 and completed his Masters Degree in Management.  In December 1973 the Chastain family moved to George AFB, California where David was an instructor pilot in the F-4 and received awards for excellence as an academic instructor.  In 1977-78 the family lived at Maxwell AFB, Alabama while David attended Air Command and Staff College.  From 1978 to 1979 the Chastain’s were stationed at Ft. Bragg where David attended Army Jump School, was awarded his jump wings and was selected to be 82nd Division ALO and Operations Officer.  In September 1980 David was rewarded for his hard work with an assignment to fly F-15 Eagles at Eglin AFB.  In 1984 David flew F-5 aircraft with the Saudi Air Force as an instructor in Taif, Saudi Arabia.  Returning to Florida in December 1984 David worked as the Chief, Evaluation and Support Division, 4442 TCG at Hurlburt Field where he retired August 31, 1990. 

     Lieutenant Colonel Chastain was a command pilot with over 4,000 military flying hours.  His military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal.

     After Air Force retirement David worked for Lear Jet as an instructor and Bombardier FLEXJET as a Captain.  He enjoyed flying around the globe in the Challenger 604 retiring again in February 2006.  He then worked as a starter and marshal at Eglin Golf Course beginning in 2007.  He settled with his family in Niceville in 1979 where he and Gayle served as active members of First Baptist Church Niceville (The Church on Bayshore).  David will forever be remembered for his character and love of Family, God and Country.  He possessed a quick wit, an easy smile and had a sharp memory of all he had learned and experienced in his life.  A day spent with David would be one filled with laughter and lessons from a life well lived.

     David is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gayle Chastain, his proud son and daughters; Mark Chastain (Mara) of Ormond Beach, FL, Lynn Horrigan (Sean) of Niceville, FL, Rachel Lacertosa (Domenick) of Lake Mary, FL, and Jenica Kelly (Nathan) of Columbia Falls, MT.  He (Pappaw) will be dearly missed by his ten grandchildren; Grayson Chastain, Summerlyn Chastain, Addison Chastain, Meghan Horrigan, Aydan Horrigan, Brielle Lacertosa, Cadence Lacertosa, Domenick Lacertosa, Evan Kelly and Cole Kelly.

     Funeral Services will be held at The Church on Bayshore, Saturday September 17th,2022, at 1100 a.m. with visitation prior beginning at 10:00 a.m.                                                                           A burial service will follow at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery.                                                                                                                                                                                                In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the building fund or the benevolent ministry at the Church on Bayshore.

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