David Royce Brackin

Services for David Royce Brackin, 62, of Segno, Texas, will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Livingston. Interment will follow at Holly Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 16, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the church, prior to the service. Bro. Ryan Claussen, Jr. will officiate the service, assisted by Bro. Gary Lawrence.

David was born on October 3, 1963 in Livingston, Texas to Billy Brackin and Eddie Richardson Brackin. He was taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly on November 9, 2025. He was doing what he loved-working out on his land.

David, along with his parents and older sister, spent his pre-school years in Livingston, Corrigan, and Fairfield. His school years were spent in Mexia and Dayton. After graduating from Dayton High School, he got an Associates Degree from San Jacinto Junior College.

The best thing to happen to David in his life was meeting and marrying his wife, Shirley. He had to go halfway around the world to meet the perfect woman for him, but it was well worth the trip. They got married in 2010, and have spent the last 15 years working, laughing, joking, and growing vegetables to sell or give away. In their "free time", they enjoyed going to estate sales. Even though he never got to meet most of Shirley's family members in person, he spent a lot of time with them on FaceTime, and he loved them very much.

One of David's many loves was working on engines, motors, and mechanical devices of all sizes and types. During his career, he worked on boats, cars, diesel engines, and machinery on offshore rigs in the Gulf. He spent the latter part of his career working for The Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Upon his retirement, it was his good fortune to work for his friend and fellow farmer, David Sonnier, who gave him many opportunities to work on projects that he truly enjoyed.

From his childhood until the end of his life, his passion was farming and raising cattle. He could fix any broken machine that was put in front of him, and he especially loved working on old tractors. He never sat still for long, and if he was not outside working with the cows or on a tractor cutting or baling hay, he was in his shop tinkering with an engine or repairing something. He also loved collecting of all kinds; he particularly enjoyed collecting vintage glass and figurines, and was very knowledgeable on the topic. He also loved a good argument and was never hesitant to enter into one.

He was always ready to help out a family member or neighbor when the need arose. He never met a stranger and would talk to anyone that he could learn something from. He always had a gleam in his eye and a joke to share.

David was predeceased by his dear mother in 2023. He is survived by love of his life, Shirley Brackin; his devoted father, Billy Brackin, his loving sister, Vanessa Peveto (Myles Beeching), and his loving niece, Amy Peveto (Jonathon Brehm). He is also survived by his stepdaughter Shiela Laylo (Edmar Laylo), stepdaughter Cherryl Gonzales (Eric Gonzales), stepson Joel Lalongisip (Lyn Lalongisip), and step grandchildren Stephanie Laylo, Eric Michael Gonzales, and Miciah Gonzales, and by his uncle Forrest G. Brackin, along with cousins, friends, and acquaintances too numerous to count, both in the US and in the Philippines. Shirley wishes to give special thanks to Mercy Hinklin and Rusty and Sherry Stephenson for their love and friendship to her and David.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Brackin, Travis Brackin, Donnis Collins, Michael Richardson, Ronald Sexton, and Rusty Stephenson. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Morris and David Sonnier.

The family requests that if anyone wishes to make donations in lieu of flowers that they consider donating to Holly Grove Baptist Church or Magnolia Hill Baptist Church.