David Lynn Alldredge

David Lynn Alldredge passed peacefully with his family by his side at M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas on Monday, May 12, 2014. The last four years proved to be very challenging ones as he battled multiple health issues. He was an entrepreneur with few limits and a heart of gold. He loved his family and friends and was surely never short on words. He was born on August 23, 1955 in Lubbock, Texas to Ethel Ruth Cook Alldredge and Delbert Alldredge; David was the youngest of three children. He began running his own business selling horned toads and lizards at age 6, then moved on to mowing yards and many other ventures. He studied Earth Science at Texas Tech. With a passion for plants and an eye for design he started Turf Specialties, a landscaping and yard maintenance business, and soon after sold it to his partner. Shortly before opening Alldredge Gardens in 1987 he had three beautiful children, Chance, Christen and Brett. In August 1995 he married Kristi Ann McLean and welcomed her son Justin into the family. In 2002 a fire burned down one of the houses that served as the office for the nursery, so David tore it all down and built a new Alldredge Gardens. Many people were disappointed to lose the unique little nursery but for David, bigger was always better. He was constantly trying new ventures and adding services to the business. In 2005 he opened a café in the garden center which is now called Café at the Gardens. He also turned the old Linens N Things building into a beautiful furniture store called Alldredge Home which was scaled-down during one of his health issues to The Studio now on Dodson Street. When David wasn't building or selling something he was at the lake wake boarding or traveling. David was baptized and a member at Stonegate Fellowship. He is survived by his wife of 18 years Kristi Alldredge and their four children and families; son, Chance Alldredge of Spring, Texas, wife Elise and children Casey, Avary, Elle, and True; daughter, Christen Alldredge Wommack of San Antonio, Texas, husband, George and children Tripp, Caroline and Henry; son, Brett Alldredge of El Campo, Texas; son, Justin Smith of Midland, Texas, wife, Samantha and children Hayden and Claire; sister, Jayne Ashlock of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law, Roxanne Alldredge of Bettendorf Iowa; niece, Tracie Ashlock of Lubbock Texas; nephew, Matthew Alldredge of Longview, Texas; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jenna and Clyde McLean; brother-in-law, Doug McLean and family; brother-in-law, Scott McLean and family. He will also be missed by his three precious kitties, Ginger, Kloe and Izzy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Dr. Steven G. Alldredge, his nephew Mark Ashlock, and his brother-in-law Jimmy Ashlock. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Ellis Funeral Home. Funeral services have been scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Stonegate Fellowship. Memorials may be directed to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210, The American Heart Association, 3205 W. Cuthbert, Suite-A-8, Midland, Texas 79701, or a charity of your choice. Services are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com