David W. Rabold

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 9, 2010

David Wilson Rabold, 86, of Bowling Green, died at 1:17 a.m. Sept. 8, 2010, at his residence.

The Bowling Green native was born Jan. 4, 1924. He was a graduate of Western Kentucky University. He joined the Navy at age 17 during World War II and graduated as an officer from the Navy Midshipman’s School in Chicago. He earned the rank of lieutenant commander and deployed to the East Coast as a submarine chaser during World War II. He patrolled the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, searching for German submarines for a period of three years. He was also one of the officers to be part of the Splinter Fleet patrolling the Atlantic Ocean which helped turn the tide for the U.S., opening the shipping lanes which forced the German submarines to retreat. He was in the U.S. Naval Reserves having served a total of 23 years in Active and Reserve service. Mr. Rabold, along with Congressman William Natcher, was responsible for the inception of the Naval Reserve Unit in Bowling Green, where he was also a charter member. He was the third generation owner of Rabold’s Men’s Wear. Rabold’s Men’s Wear had been in business for 78 years with Mr. David Rabold owning the business from 1946-1983. Mr. Rabold was a lifelong member of The Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green where he served as a deacon and elder. He was a member of Bowling Green Country Club for more than 50 years, a former member of Phi Delta Theta, The Barrons Fraternity, Bowling Green/Warren County Jaycees, Bowling Green/Warren County Chamber of Commerce and the Hilltopper Athletic Association. Mr. Rabold was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. He loved his lake house, his church, his family and his lifelong friends. He was a son of the late Earl David Rabold and Ruth Fuller Rabold. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Frances Morrison Rabold.

Funeral is at 11 a.m. Friday at The Presbyterian Church, with burial in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Johnson-Vaughn-Phelps Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Presbyterian Church, 1003 State St., Bowling Green, KY 42101 or to Hospice of Southern Kentucky, 5872 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42104.

Online condolences may be made at www.jvpfh.com.

Survivors include two sons, David E. Rabold and his wife, Charlene, and Bobby Rabold and his wife, Lisa, all of Bowling Green; a daughter, Kim Ferguson and her husband, Lloyd, of Bowling Green; five grandchildren, Chris Rabold and his wife, Michelle, of Athens, Ga., Shaye Rabold of Lexington, and Fran Bowen and her husband, Will, Nick Rabold and David Paul Shoultz, all of Bowling Green; two great-grandchildren, Carlie Shaye Bowen and Cary Beth Bowen, both of Bowling Green; two brothers-in-law, Robert C. Morrison and his wife, JoJean, of Bowling Green, and Tommy Morrison of Albany, Ga.; a special friend, Linda Woolbright of Bowling Green; and caregivers, Mary Misner and Charlotte Tipton, both of Bowling Green.