David DeCordova, Sr.
David Vann DeCordova, Sr., 79, of Beaumont, passed away at home on Thursday, August 16, 2018, in the loving arms of his sweet wife Mary Lynne Alford DeCordova. He was born February 26, 1939, in Beaumont, Texas, to Lester I. DeCordova (1901-1998) and Sue Anna Weber DeCordova (1910-1962).
David’s survivors include his wife Mary Lynne; daughter D’Ann and husband, Randy Riggs; son David Vann DeCordova, Jr.; grandson, Taylor Riggs, all of Beaumont, Texas; granddaughter, Ashley Riggs Crill and husband, Wes Crill; great-granddaughters, Presley Ann and Quinn Victoria Crill of Austin, Texas; and by Boston Muchala who called him “papa.” David also is survived by his late brother, Donald Lester DeCordova’s (1935-2002) two sons, Bryan Mace DeCordova and wife, Benita, and Mark Lester DeCordova and wife, Kristina, and their respective children, and by first cousins, Kathy Weber Woolridge and Dr. Bill Weber. David’s youngest son, Jon Wade DeCordova, passed away November 6, 2009.
David’s Texas roots run deep. He is a fifth generation Texan and is a second great-grandson of Texas Jewish pioneer Jacob DeCordova (1808 – 1868). Jacob, born in Jamaica, B.W.I., settled in Texas in 1839, founded Waco, Texas, and became one of Texas’s largest land agents, controlling over 1,000,000 acres in central Texas. Proudly hanging in David’s office is a replica of the 1849 Texas map Jacob produced. Scholars credit him with bringing more settlers to Texas than Stephen F. Austin. Jacob married outside of his faith, and his children were raised in the Christian faith by his wife Rebecca Sterling (1808 – 1882).
David was a Christian. He loved his church, Calvary Baptist, lamenting often of his physical inability to attend in person. He missed hearing the choir sing, and the “preacher preach.” David loved too his Aggies, playing center on the Aggie team for Coach Bear Bryant after graduating Beaumont High School in 1957. David bravely, and without open complaint, fought a constant forty-year battle with heart disease, having had his first bypass at thirty-six. While doctors were continually amazed, his family knew it was his love of God and his family, especially his precious twin great-granddaughters, that kept him going well beyond what medical science even thought possible. David’s love of the outdoors, especially hunting, was also a likely positive factor, enjoying an African Safari and many hunting trips with friends and his son-in-law Randy, remarking only last week that hunting was off the table this year because he likely could not use his walker at the deer lease. A close second to hunting was David’s love of animals, especially his little canine companion Gracie Belle, who never, ever left his lap or side, even as EMS personnel tried to revive him.
David’s always generous smile, quick wit, slowness to anger, his generosity of spirit, time and purse, gentleness of spirit, and his kind, humble and loving heart made him someone extraordinary and special to all who were privileged and blessed to know him. He fought the good fight, but was tired, very tired. Our merciful God knew and choose to call him home. David is now healed, with a new body, and is at rest and peace for eternity with his Savior. While we deeply mourn the loss of our sweet father, husband, grandfather, great-grand father, and dear friend, we give glory to Jesus for the Truth that we, as believers, will all be together again. This is not the end, it is the beginning of forever. We mourn, but also celebrate.
A gathering of Mr. DeCordova’s family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 19, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 20, 2018, at Calvary Baptist Church, 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boy’s Haven of America, Inc., P.O. Box 5815, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or Calvary Baptist Missions, 3650 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
Video
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955 pine st beaumont tx 77703
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 3650 dowlen road beaumont tx 77706
- 08/20/2018
- 10:00 am
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 08/19/2018
- 5:18 am
Comments
Sheila Darby
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family.
Sue Gober
Lynne My heart is saddened to hear about David’s passing yesterday. I have such great memories of all the years we were neighbors. I know what a kind and precious person he was and I hope your many memories will stay with you. I know he was a strong Christian man and is healed and whole now. May God serve as your strength during this difficult time.
Doug McMakin
Lynne, Thank you for trusting me and letting me get to know a great man! I'm going to miss talking hunting with him. God Bless you and your family!
Gary Cobb
Lynn and D’Ann. I’ll never forget you two being at my mom’s side when she took her last breath. And being so supportive Of Colleen and I during moms illness. You are true angels. And Vann, it has been a blessing reconnecting with you over the last few years. May you all be at peace during this time of great loss but also of great joy that Mr D is resting at peace in eternal paradise. Love y’all.
Sylvia Andel
Thank you for choosing me to be involved in your care. I am forever changed because of your character, strength, strong will and observing the way so many people looked to you for advice and knowledge. You were surrounded by an amazing family that loved you so much. I'll miss you everyday but I have faith that we'll meet again. #Gigem. ~ Sylvia.
Mike and Barbara Burrow
Our hearts go out to you, Lynne, and your family in saying your "Til we meet agains" to your beloved David. Please know that you are in our prayers .
David . N Gray
David and I were both born in Beaumont on the same day. I did not know this when we first met in 1945. I lived on Laurel and David's home was a few blocks away which was no distance back in the bycycle days. We spent many hours playing together along with a host of friends. We remained friends through Averill elementary, Dick Dowling Jr. High and finally Beaumont High School. He was a good friend and a better man. I will miss him..
Suzanne Ferguson Barfield
David was tall and strong, and was gentle and kind. Always smiles and glad to see you. A true Royal Purple. classmate. He will be missed.
Candace LeMasters
Mrs. D, Vann, and D'Ann, Dick and I are saddened to hear of the loss of Mr. D. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful Christian., husband, and father. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kenny and Kathy Burkhalter
Praying for you all and asking Jesus to hold you close ... and celebrating of the Hope of Jesus ?
Diane deCordova
Very sorry for your loss I was hoping for the opportunity to meet him. My condolences to the whole extended family. Diane
Barbara Speed
Taylor... I’m so sorry to hear about your grandfather’s passing. Praying for you and your family.
Trace Harken
I’m so sorry for y’alls loss. He was such a great man and I am so glad I knew him. Love y’all so much!
Tracy Cormier Sr
Saddened to hear the lost of my buddy "Fishbone", I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Judy Wilkerson
I pray God’s hands of comfort, mercy, and grace carry you all through this valley in the days, weeks, and years ahead. God bless you and keep you until you are reunited in His presence.
Ellen Baber
My heart is broken for you all. He was an amazing man and I am honored and blessed to have known him my whole life. I have so many wonderful memories of him. I pray God wraps His loving arms around you all during this difficult time. This isn’t goodbye because we know we will see him again. Love you all
Lilli Phelan Bean
Dear Lynne and family, what a wonderful picture of your dear David. I join all in sadness of your loss and joy that he is in that promised place that our faith tells us is waiting. He was blessed to know and love you, Lynne. In time I hope you are feeling peace and renewed strength.
Deidra Gonzales Harvey
Oh Mrs. D, I am so very sorry to hear of Mr.D's passing. I will be praying for you, Van, and D'Ann and the rest of your family. I love you lots!
NL
My sincere condolences to the family at this difficult time. May you all seek God for comfort, peace, strength and support (2 Cor 1:3).
kristen golson fuller
Mrs D & D’Ann, thinking and praying for your both and ALL of your family as you mourn (and also celebrate) the life of your husband and father. May God comfort all of you at this time and beyond, knowing that he is in a better place where you will all be reunited one day. love you,
Monica Shannon
Our deepest sympathy to the family. May he rest in peace. Monica Shannon Waco, Texas
william white and wife Betty
So very sorry for your loss, Old memories will never be forgotten may God bless you all Bill and Betty White
Hank ziller
I was sadden to know of David's death . He was one of my high school heros. I always thought very highly of him.
artist Roy de Romero
My deepest heartfelt condolence for the Cordova families. I'm hoping that Waco can share the great times for a great legacy of the Cordova generations.
Jason Boever
D'Ann and family, David was such a Great person to work with over the years. We would sit in the office on College St and talk for hours, I never could figure out which one of us liked hearing what the other one had to say more but that's really an easy one. I really enjoyed our time and I am praying for you guys! What a sweet man he was indeed. Your friend, Jason Boever
Stephen Delgado Porter
To David Vann and the DeCordova family, please accept my sincere condolences for your sad loss. From a Jamaican in London, with many DeCordova connections.
Lewis & Janet Ashenheim
Vann, Our deepest condolences to you and the rest of the family. May God be with you in your time of sadness. Rest assured in the knowledge that he is no longer suffering and is in the loving arms of our father in Heaven.
James Marn
Vann we are sad to learn of you father's passing, but with his long illness, he is most certainly in a better place. Jeanne and I are glad and thankful we met your parents when they visited Hawaii and they were in good health. It's a good thing you returned home when you did and luckily for us after completing the bulk of the litigation for us. We hope everything is going well for you and your family and send you our best wishes. With much aloha from us, James and Jeanne
Patti Curtis
I’m so sorry for your loss. He will be missed! What a great life he had. I have many found memories of him from growing up in the neighborhood. Always had a smile on his face!
Susan Cole
Lynn and family, am so sorry to hear about your loss, actually read about it on here searching for another friend.....David was such a nice guy, so enjoyed having y'all as friends while at North End.....Sending love and prayers your way. xo
R.H.
Our condolence. Sorry for your loss. Know that when Jesus was on earth he cured ‘every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity.’ Soon he will perform those miracles again on a grand scale in God’s new world. Matthew 9:35; John 5:28