David Felix Marocco

David Felix Marocco, 72, passed quietly in his sleep on June 8th in Tarrant County, Texas, with his wife Pamela at his side. David was born January 1, 1945, in Omer, Michigan, to missionaries Dan and Esther Marocco. His childhood was full of travel and adventure, living in Missouri, India, and the Philippines. David graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas, with the class of 1964. That summer, he journeyed to the Bahamas on the very first outreach of Youth With a Mission. In 1968, he graduated from Vanguard University in Southern California with a degree in Diversified Education. That fall, David began working as a teacher and football coach at Giano Intermediate School in West Covina, California. This was the beginning of an extraordinary career in education and sports. In the summer of 1970, he joined his siblings in the Philippines. While touring in the gospel group “The Marocco Brothers”, his sister introduced him to a young missionary named Pamela Edgell. Pamela was originally put off by this “Californian”, but was ultimately attracted to the kindness and respect he showed every person. The couple married on December 18, 1971, in Fairmont, West Virginia. They began their life together in California and eventually welcomed three children into the world: Matthew, Lena, and Mark. David continued teaching and coaching at Freemont Junior High in Anaheim. In 1975, he earned a California Life Teaching Credential in Biological Sciences and Mathematics. The following year he became the Assistant Principal, Math Teacher, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach at Melodyland High School. After he left, three people had to be hired to fill his shoes. In 1981, David moved his family to DeSoto, Texas, to teach at a junior high, while earning a Master's Degree from the University of North Texas. Throughout his tenure as a math teacher, football coach, referee, and basketball coach at Sunset High in Dallas, he worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He started a Bible study group which grew to over 100 students. For three summers, he led an undefeated football team in Europe for Christian Sports Outreach International. In 1990, David and his family moved to Maui, Hawaii, to become the principal of Ka'ahumanu Hou Christian School. In addition to being the hands-on school administrator, he was also a math teacher and football coach (sometimes bus driver, counselor, chaplain, MIL cheer coordinator, basketball/baseball/wrestling/track coach, construction worker, janitor, cook, and more). He spearheaded several school fundraisers including the notorious Christmas Tree Lot, Turkey Trot 10-K, and spaghetti dinners. Over the course of eighteen years, David shared his home with more than 40 students and teachers. Known to his students as “Mister M, Coach, Papa Rocks/Rocco,” he is remembered for his sense of humor, corny rhymes, traumatizing driving, and weakness for Carl’s Junior. Mr. Marocco’s unprecedented sacrifice, compassion, and dedication forever changed the lives of his students. In 2008, the beloved principal stepped down and moved to Texas, to be near his grandchildren. Despite turning 63 and amassing a lifetime of education experience, David continued to work as an administrator, teacher and substitute teacher at multiple DFW school districts through 2016. Until the very end, David was hard-working and seemingly tireless; he retained a firm belief in the potential of every student and inspired excellence. David lived his life as an obedient servant of Christ and believed in the power of early morning prayer. Who would have thought that one of his favorite scriptures would exemplify his life of faith and devotion: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is; His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2 David is survived by wife Pamela, children Matthew (Rachel), Lena Paulauskas (Lance), and Mark, grandchildren Nathaniel, Debbie, Ethan, Naomi, and Felix, brothers Bill (Brenda), Phil (Faye), and James (Colleen), brother-in-law Bob Mason, cousin Mary Kratz, beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family. He is preceded in death by parents Dan and Esther, sister Debbie, son Stephen, and prayer dog Jodie. Funeral service in Texas: Thursday, June 15, at 11:30am Viewing from 10-11:30am King's Chapel, 310 S Story Rd, Irving, Texas, 75060 Graveside Service, Grapevine Cemetery, 3:30 A come and go Potluck Reception, Coppell, 6:00 Memorial service in Hawaii: Saturday, July 1, at 3:00 pm King’s Cathedral, 777 Mokulele Hwy, Kahului, HI, 96732

David Felix Marocco

January 1, 1945 - June 8, 2017