Interment at a later date:

Cabool Cemetery

Obituary:

David Lee Rust, 77, passed away on October 22, 2020, at his Grandview Terrace home in Cabool, Missouri. He was born on September 13, 1943, in Cabool, Missouri, to Elmer L. Rust and Leona (Bowles) Rust.

David Lee was raised in Cabool and attended Cabool High School graduating with the class of 1961. He married Charlotte M. McLaughlin on March 27, 1964, and they celebrated their 56 th anniversary this year. Their daughter, Kelli, was born on November 18, 1966; and their son Christopher was born January 15, 1974.

David was a man who enjoyed trying new things. He started his career as an insurance agent in Cabool and eventually owned Cabool Insurance Agency. Together, he and Charlotte  also operated the license office in Cabool and he was elected to andserved a term as Cabool's mayor.

Eventually David and Charlotte moved to Kirbyville, MO,where David became a part of the entertainment industry in Branson. He worked as an accountant at the Grand Palace and other venues for several years. After retirement he discovered that he would rather work and held several part time jobs trying new things and meeting new people. He always said that he could not understand why a person could not find a job as he could find one all the time. He did everything from delivering auto parts to over the road truck driving. No matter what he did, he did well. Perhaps his favorite job came later in life when he worked as the manager of the Branson Farm and Auto Museum. David's love for old tractors, cars, trucks and other vintage farm equipment allowed him to share his knowledge when he gave personal tours of the museum to family and friends.

David enjoyed visiting with people and telling jokes and stories.  He wrote several articles for the Ozark Mou n taineer magazine about Ozark folklore and history.  David was not one to hold his opinions back. When he felt passionately about an issue he would write letters to editors and let them know what he thought.

David was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many hours on the rivers and lakes and in the woods fishing and hunting. As much as he loved hunting he also loved pets and had many throughout his life from chickens to geese to cats and dogs. He had a special place in his heart for his service dog, Princess.

As a young person, David watched both trains and airplanes from the front porch of the family home across from Cabool Memorial Airport. He was fascinated by the huge locomotivesthat traveled by the house. He could tell every make and model of airplane that took off and landed. His love for planes led him to get his pilot's license early in life and he not only flew for his personal enjoyment but was also a corporate pilot for others. David was a HAM radio (W0dlr) buff beginning in high schooland he enjoyed talking to friends and acquaintances all over the world up until his health would not permit.

David was diagnosed with cancer approximately two years ago and made the decision to return to Cabool to live. He and Charlotte made many new friends and re-kindled old relationships after their return in 2019.

In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by his sister and her husband, Ruth and Bill Dickison, as well as other aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte, of the home; daughter Kelli, Springfield, MO; son Christopher and wife, Allison, Coweta, OK; grandchildren Darrin Lee Tubbs, Ozark; Alec Christopher Rust and Alexis Christine Rust, Stockton; and Chloe Renae  Boughton, Branson;  niece Brenda Jarrett and husband Ed,  Cabool, MO; and nephew Eric Mohler, Cabool, MO; and many other relatives and friends.