Comments by Bob Kennington:
Dave was Chief of Range Safety when I was working as a contractor around 2009. Several years later an AFFTC commander reorganized Range Safety and Dave decided it was time to retire. I always had great respect for Range Safety folks because they could destroy multi-million dollar aircraft if they exceeded safety limits.
From https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/david-puckett-obituary?id=61615121
Born 11/6/1956 in Jonesboro, Arkansas
Died 6/1/ 2026 in Rosamond, California David Anthony Puckett, age 69 of Rosamond, California passed away quietly at home on June 1, 2026 of Small Cell Metastatic Lung Cancer. He is fondly remembered as a Loving husband, Adoring Brother, Favorite Uncle. He was born on November 6, 1956 in Arkansas to M. Faye Puckett and David L. Puckett. Dave grew up and attended schools in Bono and Jonesboro Ark. He loved to run and play in the woods near his house as a youngster. Finding lots of fun things to do in nature with his siblings. He was very good at taking things apart and figuring out how they worked. Later with his Mom and sister Pam they moved to Merced, California. He attended Winton and Atwater schools. He was a very intelligent young man and schooling came easy. He continued his learning daily into his adult years. Dave was handy with his hands and did the remodeling of his homes over the years. Recently he built a cedar porch cover, a cedar spa cover and a barbecue shack. Dave was an avid poker player often entering tournaments in Las Vegas and playing online. With his time in Las Vegas, he enjoyed relaxing at the pool along with sightseeing. Dave also enjoyed road trips to Washington state, whale watching at Pismo Beach, and camping at Yosemite in his younger years. He was very competitive, which his niece Aubrey found out when they played the game Sorry. "Sorry, not sorry!" was often heard as they played. Whatever he put his mind to do, he could do. Dave was a very generous man and loved his family deeply. Dave enlisted in the United States Air Force at 18 and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base. While in the service he learned and worked on radios and electronics. Earning the rank of Sargent and receiving an honorable discharge in 1979. Dave worked as a civilian on Edwards AFB in Range Safety working on such projects as the Global Hawk UAV and many other test flights. Dave also worked as a Realtor/broker for a short period of time but eventually returned to Range Safety at Edwards AFB where he retired in 2013. Upon retirement he enjoyed reading, building projects and playing online poker. He is survived by his wife, Valerie Puckett, Sister Pam Flowers, Brother Lyndell Mills. Brother in Law Bill Flowers, Niece Allison Flowers, Nephew B. Rene Salcido Flowers, Niece Angelica Salcido Flowers, Grand Nieces and Nephews Vivyan, Anthony, Vincent, Vayda, and Great Grand Niece Isabel, Sister in Law Patricia Lukens, Niece Sarah Lukens, Grand Nephews Aidan, Spencer and Isaac. Niece Holly Eldridge, Nephew Tony Eldridge, Grand Niece and Nephews Alyssa, Aubrey, Anthony and Avery. And many other nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his sisters Brenda Judy, Jacquie Travis, Sister in Law Vesta Mills and Brother in law, Jeff Lukens.