He was born again into God’s Kingdom through Holy Baptism as an infant and later confirmed his Christian faith at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Paint Creek after being instructed by Rev. Ludwig Karcher.

David attended McDade Elementary and then Elgin High School. He went on to serve in the Navy, where he made two tours across the Pacific Ocean to Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Okinawa. He also served as a crew member on the USS Lexington. He was a member of the Iron Angels and took many trips all over the United States for their reunions.

David met Jeanette Margie Patschke at a Walther League gathering at her aunt’s house in Taylor. They were united in holy matrimony Dec. 26, 1960, while he was on leave. After a short honeymoon to Giddings, where they visited some family, they left on New Year’s Day for California, where he was stationed.

Jeanette was nine months pregnant with their first child when David was about to head overseas for his second tour, so he drove Jeanette back to her parents in Thorndale. He was crossing the ocean when the Red Cross notified him that Velvet Kim had been born. He didn’t get to meet her until she was six months old. He brought Jeanette and Velvet back to California with him where he was stationed. He also had to fly to Florida for a month due to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, David took his family back to Texas and settled down in Giddings, where he started working for a John Deere distributorship for three years. They welcomed Jed Keith in 1963 and Douglas Kurt in 1965. David rented the Dube Ranch house off of Interstate 290 before buying the family home in which his dad was born and moved it to a parcel on his parents’ property that he bought from them.

Roger Kelly made his debut in 1974. After their house burned down, they moved into David’s parents’ vacant house until they went into Elgin Nursing Home in December 2023. David worked for Elgin Butler Brick Yard for 18 years, followed by 19 years for LCRA, after which he retired. He liked riding around the farm in his Kubota checking on his cattle. David also enjoyed attending his grandkids’ many church, school and extracurricular activities. He entertained at the monthly McDade Jamboree and volunteered at the McDade Watermelon Festival for many years. David and Jeanette were the grand marshals for the 2004 McDade Festival Parade. David was also a member of the McDade VFW and a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin.

In David’s younger years, he enjoyed fishing on the river. Later, he gravitated toward smoking briskets on the big pits after his father-in-law got him hooked. He was entrusted with the sauce recipe, which he tweaked a little. He cooked for many weddings, McDade Watermelon Festivals and family reunions. He taught his sons and sonin- law how to smoke good briskets. That knowledge is still being passed down to following generations.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Wallace and Correen, and Alfred Jr. and Gene.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jeanette; his children, Velvet (Jimmy) McGee of Austin, Jed (Kathy) Dube of McDade, Douglas (Shereen) Dube of Liberty Hill, and Roger (Kimberly Schmitt) Dube of McDade; nine grandchildren, James McGee Jr. of Austin, Jessica (Matthew) Lyons of Hutto, Rachel (Jacob Essary) Garza of Lubbock, Justin (Emily) Dube of Leander, Mason Dube of Liberty Hill, Maddie (Kevin) Howell of Copperas Cove, Jonathan Dube of Hutto, and Joshua Dube and Kelsey Dube, both of McDade; four great-grandchildren, Amberly Lyons and Kylee Lyons, both of Hutto, and Natalia Garza and Jace Essary, both of Lubbock; his brother, Walter (Carolyn) Dube of McDade, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

David’s visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 13, at Providence-Jones Funeral Home in Elgin. His funeral was held Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin.

Serving as pall bearers were James McGee Jr., Justin Dube, Mason Dube, Jonathan Dube, Joshua Dube, Matthew Lyons, Jacob Essary and Kevin Howell. The burial immediately followed the service at the McDade Cemetery.

Though we mourn because of David’s death, we take comfort from the truth that he was saved for everlasting resurrected life by God’s grace, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. To him be glory forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, 801 W. 11th Street, Elgin, TX 78621, or the charity of your choice.