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Channelview High School Pasadena High School Southwestern University

FUNERAL HOME

Grand View Funeral Home

8501 Spencer Highway

Pasadena, Texas

David Scarcella Obituary

David Scarcella, Sr, 78, was born January 6, 1939 in Temple, Texas. He passed away December 24, 2017. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Juanita Scarcella, and brother Joe Scarcella. David will be greatly missed by his wife of 53 years, Michelle Scarcella; daughter, Patrice Lange and husband Paul; son, David Scarcella, Jr. and wife Laurie; grandchildren Cody and Megan Scarcella and Anthony Lange; and also by his brother Johnny Scarcella and wife Janet, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Temple High School and received his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. David proudly taught choir a total of 32 years at Georgetown High School, Pasadena High School, and Channelview High School. He also conducted church choirs at Georgetown and Asbury United Methodist Churches. His favorite pastimes were spent hunting and fishing. Most of his summer vacations were spent on a boat with friends and family, even if the fish weren't biting. David's most happy times were spent singing with friends in the various church choirs he and Michelle belonged to.

The family received friends on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Grand View Funeral Home, 8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, Texas 77505. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 10:00am in the Chapel of Grand View Funeral Home. Interment followed at Grand View Memorial Park.

Donations in memory of David can be made to the music ministry of Atascocita United Methodist Church or the American Diabetes Association.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Deer Park Broadcaster from Jan. 5 to Jan. 18, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for David Scarcella

22 Entries

Cheryl Hodges Houston

November 9, 2021

4 years a Capella Choir Laurie at piano his booming voice leading us. Great wonderful encourager. Sorry he left you on Christmas Eve. We didn't know he was that young. I graduated in '67.
Thank you for the gift of him..What an inspiration he was. My madrigal placed 5th in State of Texas..We sang everywhere. Even in Corpus Christi and Handels Messiah every Christmas.

Marless Hughes Owen

February 19, 2018

I first met Dave when I was a student at South Houston HS under Tom Myers, Sr. 1965-69. Dave was a wonderful teacher, and in later years, became a wonderful friend also. I worked with him during several UIL Contests and when he cliniced Mr. Myers choirs at Livingston HS. He always had a smile and a hug. The Texas music world has lost a valuable pillar in choral education.

Penny Buenger

January 21, 2018

To the Scarcella Family:

I am saddened to hear of Mr. Scarcella's passing. He was my choir teacher at Pasadena High School for four years and I think every one of us loved him. He was firm, but fair. He loved to sing and lead us. We wanted to perform for him and make him proud. And I'll never forget when we were still in the home ec building outside that one warm evening we practiced for a performance. When he dismissed us a bunch of us jumped out of the open windows. I got home about twenty minutes later and he had already called my dad! I was busted and furious with him for doing that. But - he knew exactly what he was doing and I never did that again. He was a great guy and I know you all with miss him.

Penny Nowak Buenger
Class of '68

Mark & Anita Masters

January 11, 2018

A great teacher and an even better man.

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Deborah Waddell Mathews

January 5, 2018

Mr. Scarcella was admired by many, not just those who were his choir students. As a band member, I remember him as spreading his love for music with all who came in contact with him. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Deborah Waddell Mathews (Pasadena, Texas)

Debi Guillot Fife

January 5, 2018

David Scarcella was and still is a major part of who I am. My years as an accompanist from 1973-1976 were happy, fun and life changing. When I walked into the choir building, I felt safe, secure and loved. We were and are still a family.
Mr. Scarcella helped me to deal with life as a teenager outside the secure surroundings of choir. He cared. He loved. And he encouraged. He didnt demand perfectionhe demanded your best.
I will always remember Papa Cella and his smile;the golden voice you cannot forget. He lives on.
Love you, Mr S❤

Linda Land

January 4, 2018

So sorry to read of your husband death..Michelle I worked with you at Bailey Elementary School, may the days ahead bring you peace with happy memories . God bless, Linda Land

C.T. Ashley

January 4, 2018

David has been my friend and neighbor for almost 18 years. My wife Teri and daughter, Cybil think of him as a second father and grandfather. If there was ever an example as to how a man should be measured for his legacy in life, it was David. He held a solid relationship with God, his family, and friends. I will never forget the times he would come home from his deer lease in the Texas Hill Country with his truck and trailer fully loaded. Once he got into the driveway, the first thing he did was hug his wife and then sit on the back porch and pet his dogs while spending time with them and Michelle. If you ate at his table, he gave thanks to the Lord for everyone there.
I will miss him, but I will also cherish the many times that he and I would just sit and talk.

Jayne Larson

January 3, 2018

I was honored to sing under Mr. Scarcella's direction for 4 years at PHS. His office and choir hall were a grounding place for me each day during high school. He was a kind, generous teacher who taught me about music, singing from the heart and being an integral part of a group through song. Under his guidance we had friendships, loving support of each other and trust in the world. Thank you, Mr. S. May your life continue through your guidance and support of all those you have taught.

Kelly Allbritton

January 2, 2018

There are no words to adequately convey how much Mr. Scarcella meant to the hundreds of students who sang for him. After 40 years, when our high school friends gather, he is still one of our happiest memories. He changed many a wayward life with his love and faith. My condolences to his family and my thanks for sharing this great man with so many for so long.

Evelyn Jackson

January 2, 2018

Many teachers come & go throughout our 12+ years of public school...RARE are gems such as Mr. Scarcella...what an honor to have had him placed my world as my homeroom teacher...I started each day off with his wit, his humor, his contagious smile & always his wise counsel. Thank you, sir...you made more difference in this life than you were ever aware of...heaven's gates opened wide when you arrived...I'll see that winning smile of yours some day...be looking for me, Mr. Scarcella!

Debbie Laird Hornbrook

January 1, 2018

I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Scarcella's death but I am happy to hear it seems he had a long and happy life. I haven't and will never forget him and all I learned in his class from 1965-1969 when I graduated from PHS. There were so many good times and happy memories. Everytime I sing the Hallelujah Chorus I think of all those practices and performances of the Messiah. Good times!!! Thank you, Mr. Scarcella. May you rest in peace.❤

Melinda Dean

December 30, 2017

So sad to hear of his passing. I loved being in his class. He will truly be missed. Sending prayers to the family.

Sarah Mackey-Luckey

December 30, 2017

So sad to hear of Mr. Scarcellas passing. He was my Accapella choir teacher in 1968 & 1969. He was a wonderful man & a great teacher. I

Linda Collins Root

December 30, 2017

I am so sorry to hear about David. He and Michelle went to Asbury United Methodist Church I went to and I use to babysit their kids. They had a house close to the church and I babysit on Wednesday night. RIP David.

Nelda Rich-Allen

December 29, 2017

I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Scarcella. He was my choir director my senior year,1967,at Pasadena High School. I always enjoyed singing and loved being in his choir. I know you can have peace in knowing that he is with his Savior,Jesus Christ,and that one day you will see him again.

Ann Phipps Wellman

December 29, 2017

So many great memories for me at Pasadena High School were made in Mr. Scarcella's choir class, during our concerts and on our choir trips. He was truly my favorite teacher and taught us not only to be focused in song but focused in life, to do our best, to respect ourselves and others....a true extension and reinforcement of the values my parents had already instilled in me long before I met Mr. Scarcella. The Don Phipps Award was created in memory of my brother who passed away his senior year at PHS and was a reflection of the kind of man Mr. S was. It was an act of heartfelt kindness and respect that forever touched my mom, my dad and me. I know for sure that my dad and Donnie both were overjoyed to be see and welcome Mr. S at heaven's gate. We love you Mr. S and are forever grateful for having known you. May your family find comfort and peace that only God can provide as you cherish the memories of such a kind, wonderful Christian man that touched so many lives and hearts during his life's journey.

Phyllis Appleby

December 29, 2017

So many students, so many lives touched by a remarkable man. No matter the kind of day I was having I always found my step lightened as I turned to ward the choir room. I know he will be missed by his family and I pray God's peace for them as Heaven gains a top shelf choir director and a fine man.

Danielle Ouellette

December 29, 2017

In loving memory of Mr. Scarcella, my all time best teacher. Choir was my safe place at a time and in a world that, outside choir, was not safe. Mr. S. taught us not only how to sing, but to truly be the best we could be. I've never forgotten his lessons: stand tall, breathe, practice, hard work, and do our best. Oh, and he always wanted me to hold still when I sang. It never worked. I still don't stand still, but I do stand tall, breathe, work hard and do my best. He held us to his own standards. You're conducting the Big Choir now. We will love you and miss you always.

David Appleby

December 28, 2017

I was a Senior member of David's first acapella choir at Pasadena High School. He was a remarkable man . . . I shall forever view him as "my" choir director and the teacher who took what I felt as "special interest" in me. Pray the Lord bless his family with His loving presence

Edward Laverne

December 28, 2017

Mr. S was my all time favorite teacher. Great man who influenced a lot of people, including me.

Laurie Andreassian

December 28, 2017

We are so very sorry for your loss. With our sympathy, thoughts, love and prayers, The Andreassian Family

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