Dr. David Meritt Nobles

Dr. David M. Nobles departed this world and joined his dear son Coy and his “Daddy’s Little Girl,” Heather, on August 12, 2023.

Known to his beloved wife, Jane, as Honey and, on occasion, [insert expletive]; to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as Dad, Pops, Grandpa-Bear, and Pawpaw; and to his friends and colleagues simply as Dave, he was a larger-than-life provider, teacher, listener, advisor, and friend.  Many have described him as a walking encyclopedia with a wealth of knowledge on just about any subject one could raise.  To say he was well-read would be an understatement at best.  On September 21, 1973, he married the love of his life, Carla Jane Luper.

Dave was born in Waco, Texas, to Authur and Nancy Nobles.  As the only child of two hard-working parents, growing up he developed a passion for learning and reading that served as a driving force his entire life.  He earned a B.A. from Baylor University; a Senior Executive Fellowship from Harvard University; a Master of Science from National Louis University; a Master of Art from The Fielding Institute; and a Ph.D. from The Fielding Institute.

Dave’s professional career included 27 years in Federal law enforcement. In 1971, he began his career in law enforcement as an ATF Special Agent.  In 1977, he was transferred to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, GA, where he taught explosives detection, handling, and use of many such weapons and devices, as well as surveillance photography.  In 1979, he returned to field work with ATF as a Senior Operations Officer in Washington, D.C.  In 1982, he became a Senior Special Agent with the U.S. Customs Service in Washington, D.C.  In 1984, he became the Assistant Regional Director for Internal Affairs for the South-Central Region and, later, the Southwest Region of the United States.  In 1994, he was promoted to Regional Director.  Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Special Agent in Charge for the entire central area of the United States.  He retired from Federal law enforcement in 1998.

Thereafter, he entered the private sector and founded Radiant Consulting Services, Inc.  Dave traveled to almost 40 countries to provided private sector services and training, through such agencies as the U. S. Department of State and Department of Defense, on matters involving Weapons Smuggling, Antiterrorism, and Counterproliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction – many details of which remain classified.

On the lighter side, Dave enjoyed hunting, fishing, and BBQing, especially with his sidekick brother-in-law, Ray Luper, and, most importantly, spending time with his family, especially Jane and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Jane; son Kevin; grandchildren Desiree, Nick, Chase, David and his wife Skyler, Taylor, and Stone; great-grandchildren Serenity, Gavin, Taygean, and Coy; brother-in-law Ray Luper and his wife Nancy and their children Joel, Carrie, and Katy, and nephew and niece Justin Luper and Amie Moore; daughter-in-law Tanya Brummett; son-in-law Mark Thomas and his wife and daughter Dena and Gabriella; and in-laws Paul and Pam Thomas.

Graveside service will be held Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at Glenn Cemetery, located at 901 Glenn Cemetery Rd., Tolar, TX 76476.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in the name of David M. Nobles, Ph.D., to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, through the following link:

https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=10503&noamt=true&chosen=100&intcmpid=mdaccorg_donate.