Obituary of Frank "Dave" David Wells

Frank David Wells was born June 26, 1932 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to Frank Duvall and Opal Ruby Wells. From an early age he expressed an interest in electricity and music. As a young child he successfully built his own radio and discovered the work that would give his life direction: electrical engineering. In his early years he was a committed Boy Scout, earning his Eagle Scout award. Dave's interest in music led him to play the clarinet in his high school band. He also enjoyed being a part of the stage crew for his high school productions. In 1950 Dave graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He then attended Oklahoma State University where he studied electrical engineering. While attending a statewide convention for college age Christian students he met his future wife, Joyce Miller. Dave graduated OSU in 1955 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon his graduation he completed his ROTC program and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served two years active duty and the following four years in the reserves. On June 16, 1956 Dave and Joyce were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During this period Dave became a lifelong member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. While in the reserves Dave and Joyce moved to Oklahoma City where he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as a teacher. In 1960 they moved to Denver, Colorado where he worked at the Denver Research Institute. Dave completed his Master's of Electrical Engineering at the University of Denver graduating in 1967. In 1968 Dave joined the staff of Computer Image Corporation in Denver where he participated in the development of computer animation, he always said this was his favorite job. In 1974 he took a job at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Dave took part in extensive research projects contributing to the areas of CO2 laser fusion and proton storage rings for energy acceleration. Dave retired from the LANL in 1991 and in 1998 he and Joyce moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. He always enjoyed singing and performed with Barbershop choruses in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, as well as Colorado Springs. He also sang with his church choirs in New Mexico and Colorado. Dave and Joyce both enjoyed dancing and were members of the International Polka Club in Colorado Springs for many years. Dave passed away Saturday June 30, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the age of 86. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Joyce; daughter, Mary Kearns; son, Chris (Yolanda) Wells; sister, Lola Moore; grandchildren, Zack Wells, and Kyla, Devin, and Jessica Kearns; and one great-grandchild, Aubreelynn Wells.Memorial Service, 11:00AM, Saturday July 21, 2018, First Christian Church, 16 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903. Events Memorial Service Saturday, July 21, 2018 11:00AM First Christian Church 16 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs,, CO 80903 Phone: 719-328-1793