David Brian Hulsey

Red Oak - 

David Brian Hulsey, age 69, of Red Oak, NC died Monday afternoon, May 16, 2022 unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Carol Braxmeier Hulsey; daughter, Ashley Hulsey; sisters, Karen Pritchard (Bill) and Kathy Pianalto (Randy) of Arkansas; brother-in-law Jim Braxmeier (Irene) of South Carolina and multiple beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.D. and Jenny Hulsey and his brother, Robert.

Born November 5, 1952 in San Diego, CA, Dave’s father served in the Navy and he moved frequently throughout the United States. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 1976 with a degree in history focusing on Civil War. It was here that he met the love of his life, Carol Braxmeier at the Broken Spoke, a country western dancehall staple in Austin, TX. Upon graduation, he was hired by Schlumberger, an oilfield service company, which began his overseas adventures starting in Pau, France. He returned to the US to wed his line-dancing partner Carol on October 22, 1977 in Perry, Iowa. Immediately following, he whisked his bride to the beautiful hot, sandy desert of Saudi Arabia. From there they lived and traveled to Angola, Bolivia, Houston, TX, Jakarta, Indonesia, Singapore, Bangkok, Thailand, Balikpapan, Indonesia, and back to Singapore where the joy of their life was brought into the world on July 20, 1985, their daughter, Ashley Hulsey. They also had the opportunity to vacation in places like the Maldives, New Zealand, Japan, Bali, and Hong Kong just to name a few. After their return to the US in 1985, Dave then began his degree in petroleum engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. After the crash of oil in the late 1980s, he moved to Rocky Mount, NC to work at Standard Electric, a heating and air-conditioning company. Oil made a comeback and he returned to Schulmberger, this time commuting back and forth to the Gulf of Mexico. He worked until his retirement in 2013. Not being one to settle down, he came out of retirement to help build the drilling mechanism of the oil rig which resumed his international travel to Brazil, South Korea, and Singapore. He finally settled down in 2016 where he was happiest, adventuring with his family and being known as the neighborhood handy-man, always looking for that next project. Never one to sit still, he stayed busy with his friends woodworking, riding bikes with the boys, and forever trying to count the holes in the pickleball with an amazing group of pickleball enthusiasts.

He will truly be missed for his laughter, quick-whit, one-liners, outstanding generosity and kindness, and his graceful dives on the pickleball court. As Dave Hulsey would always tell his family ‘”I’m home from the wars,” well now you truly are.  Ma’a-salama, tosbah ala kheir, a friendly goodbye god willing Arabic phrase fondly used amongst Dave and Carol.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 2:00pm, at NorthSide Community Church, 1660 Beaver Pond Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00pm and also at the conclusion of the service.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider memorial donations to Honor Flight Network, Box L-4016, Columbus, OH 43260-4016 or by going online at: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/Njk0MzI=. 

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