David Abel Couto

David Abel Couto, age 77, of Forest Hill, MD, died on June 12, 2024, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD. Born in Acushnet, MA he was the son of the late Conceicio Couto.

Mr. Couto was a proud Marine who served in the Vietnam War where he earned a Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and Rifle Marksman Badge.
Mr. Couto worked for the United States Marshall Service, North Beach Police Department, Capital Heights Police Department, and the U.S. General Services Administration before 1991 when he founded World Investigative Services, where he served as President until his death. 
A member of AOPA, he was a certified handgun instructor. For many years he enjoyed owning and flying his own plane. He loved animals, especially his golden retriever Bailey and horses Walker and Pearl.

Mr. Couto is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Saucier and her husband, Darrell, of Sumter, SC; grandson Dylan Shetley and his wife Jessica of Elizabethton, TN; step-granddaughter Miranda Saucier of Weaverville, NC; great- grandchildren, Oliver Shetley and Charlotte Shetley; step great grandchildren, McKinley Pritchard, Christian Pritchard, Jesse Pritchard, and step great great grandson, Jaxon Pritchard; and several cousins in OH and MA including cousin Ronald Souza.

In addition to his mother, Mr. Couto was preceded in death by special aunt and uncle Esmeralda Couto Souza and Francisco DeSouza; cousin, Henrique Couto; and his beloved spouses, Vicki Kemp-Couto, and Patricia Couto.

Mr. Couto’s family will receive friends on Friday June 14, 2024, from 5-8pm at the church he loved to attend, Grandview Christian Church (2403 Pleasantville Road, Fallston, MD 21047). Mr. Couto will be honored with burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC during a private family ceremony.