Since the early 2000s if you have had a favorite HOSA photograph taken at SAM, WLA or the ILC, David McNeese was probably responsible having been HOSA’s official photographer and bringing HOSA’s images to life with exceptional meaning and extraordinary creativity.

After high school, David attended The Art Institute of Dallas to study photography.  During that year, David worked for HOSA part-time in the membership department.  Counting and shipping tens of thousands of membership cards was not his favorite task, but the project was always completed with a smile.

After learning his trade, David’s artistic talents with a camera, lights, and a creative eye produced visual images, videos, and media shows that captivated audiences.  His talent and skills encouraged HOSA governance and elected leadership to be the best version of themselves after viewing their individual and team photographs on the large screens.  David’s images prompted leaders to want to be the person and team they saw in the photographs.

David lived life to the fullest.  He was always on the go and had a work ethic like no other.  He is best known for his sense of humor, creativity, hard work, a giving attitude, and an incomparable love of family.  He loved watching his son, Jack, play football and his daughter, Emma, dance.  His commitment to family, friends, and clients was evident as he fought a three-year battle with ravenous cancer.

David was recognized as one of the Southwest’s finest photographers. Since 1997, as a University of Central Oklahoma graduate, he traveled the world, creating award winning advertising, corporate and editorial images, as well as an extensive body of stock imagery.

As a photographer, David was strongly committed to his community. He annually donated services to non-profit organizations including The United Way, The Children’s Center, Neighborhood Services Organization and Girl Scouts of America.

David saw individual growth and development as keys to the future of his community and served on the Boards of Directors of the Oklahoma Arts Institute and the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy.  He was passionate about giving back to the same organization that mentored him as a high school student. In addition, David worked with high school and college students to help guide them in their future career endeavors.  His talent was shared at conferences with Jobs for America’s Graduates, a dropout prevention program that prepared disadvantaged, minority youth to be college and career ready.

He had a strong commitment to HOSA-Future Health Professionals headquartered near the DFW-Airport in Texas. Even though he should have charged HOSA his normal rate, he always kept the price as it was in the beginning.  The annual International Leadership Conference was held in major conference locations that accommodated 10,000 to 12,000 secondary and collegiate students interested in the health professions.  David always cleared his schedule to attend the International Executive Council Training in Dallas, and the State Advisors Management Conference, and the Washington Leadership Academy held in Washington, DC annually.

David dreamed of having his studio and in 2001, his dream came true.  David and Kristin owned McNeese Stills & Motion for 22 years and enjoyed working with each client.  Several clients became lifelong friends.  Having one of the largest commercial photography studios in the Southwest, David worked with top corporations and organizations throughout his career. His photography earned him numerous awards from the Professional Photographers of America as well as the American Advertising Federation for creative vision.

For his personal sacrifices and professional contributions and services, the David McNeese Scholarship will be presented to a deserving student on an annual basis!  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who possesses the personal and leadership qualities exhibited by David.

HOSA appreciated his wife, Kristin and children, Jack and Emma, for sharing their husband and father with hundreds of thousands of HOSA members, advisors, and health professionals who are featured in David’s photographs.  The world would be a much better place with more David McNeese’s.

David Martin McNeese, 50, of Edmond, OK, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on April 26, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.  Forever in our Hearts, David McNeese.