Roll Call Tribute

David Mark Eng
May 23, 1963 - November 27, 2021

David Mark Eng (aka Mr. Shah) passed away unexpectedly on November 27, 2021 at the age of 58 in the forest of rural Pennsylvania. It was quick, natural and in the woods, his favorite place.

David was born May 23, 1963 in Houston, Texas to the late Wah You Eng and Lai Hing Ng. He grew up in the family grocery store on Nobel St. in 5th Ward. David attended Steven's Elementary, Black Junior High, Waltrip High School and then earned a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University, College Station. He met Sarah Shah in 1991 and married her in 2003. They were a devoted team for 30 years.

David was predeceased by his parents, cousin Virgie Lynn Gee, cousin Randy Eng and aunts, uncles, cousins, and animal companions. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; Godchildren Christian Loehr, Arden Mesko and husband Kyle, and Kevin Hong; sister-in-law, Lisa Silva and husband, Mike; cousin Dr. Marlene Eng; cousin-in-law Stanley Gee; cousins Sheryl Lim and husband David, and children Taylor, Derek, and Courtney; Shannon Gee and husband Ian, and daughter Lynn; and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Most recently, David worked for the Texas Department of Transportation and the USDOT Federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. He dedicated his life in service to his country, community, family, and friends. He was a 6th grade spelling bee champion and Houston Chronicle Finalist, 5th grade safety patrol lieutenant, winner of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston School of Art scholarship (later known as the Glassell School of Art), and a high school cheerleader. Starting in 10th grade, he taught martial arts at Candlelight Park Community Center, where he had a dedicated following of students that included grown men and Houston law enforcement officers. He was a modern-day Renaissance man - an artist in the kitchen and with a camera, expert shooter, lover of opera and every genre of music, rocket on his Kawasaki GPZ, maintained his own cars and home, loved to tinker, had a hundred and one ongoing projects, always had a funny story, and loved his animal companions.

Above all else, he was a teacher and mentor, and sharing life lessons of honor, respect, loyalty, honesty and patriotism. His many friends will miss his way of making complex concepts understandable with a funny story or unexpected approach. More than 30 years ago, David began creating the Plink-a-thon, accessible, and fun way for young people to become familiar, proficient and most importantly safe, with firearms. For the past 10 years, Plink-a-thon has been held on the third Saturday of every month at the Bayou Rifles Addicks Range. Through this program, hundreds of children and their parents have learned the safe handling of firearms and the importance of the Second Amendment.

In lieu of flowers, would you consider donations in his memory to:

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF.org/donation-page/)
Houston’s First Baptist Church (HoustonsFirst.org)
Chinese Baptist Church (CBCHouston.org)