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David Brigham Obituary
David Brigham died unexpectedly on Monday, December 15, 2014, in San Antonio, Texas. David was a true San Antonio boy, born at Santa Rosa Hospital. He grew up here, graduating from Edison High School in 1968. David entered the US Army in 1970 and was honorably discharged in 1972. Afterwards he pursued a career as a journeyman bricklayer, serving as vice-president of his local union. On October 11, 1974, David wed his best friend and sweetheart, Deborah. Theirs was a true love match, lasting more than forty years.
David's experience as a mason led to his 37-year career with the US government. Throughout those 37 years, David pursued his education, leading to Bachelors and Masters degrees in historic conservation and preservation. His experience and knowledge served him well as cultural resource manager for Ft. Sam Houston and later Joint Base San Antonio. David loved his Ft. Sam "family" with whom he shared much fun and laughter.
Often David would reminisce about his youthful days as "a singer in a rock n' roll band." Many local musicians were counted among his friends and he strongly supported live music in San Antonio. David felt privileged to be a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, escorting our fallen heroes.
His greatest pride came from his daughter, Dr. Cara Brigham Gonzales and her accomplishments. His greatest joy came from his three grandchildren: Andrew, Kamyrn and Hunter. No one loved life more than David. Simply being alive was cause for celebration. He took pleasure in the simplest of chores, the love of his friends and family, and the success of a job well done. His intrinsic kindness, ready smile, compassion, good humor, and generosity made him loved by many and will make him missed by many as well.
David was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Linnens, his father, Harold C. Brigham and stepmother, Ruth Brigham. Survivors include is beloved, devoted wife of forty years, Deborah Ozan Brigham, daughter Cara Brigham Gonzales (Don), grandsons Andrew David Knight and Hunter Donevan Gonzales and granddaughter Kamyrn Dawn Gonzales. Also surviving are his sisters and brothers: Diana Hooks, Jim Bryant (Patty), Janiet Gavcin (Angel), Cliff Linnens (Jeanette), Harry Lawrence (Helen Ann), Gayle Lawrence and Linda Zickafoose (Jim Birkett).
Deborah and Cara thank Victor of SA-Cremations for his compassionate kindness.
A celebration of David's life is scheduled Monday, January 5, 2015, at nine o'clock in the morning at the Ft. Sam Houston Main Post Chapel. Military honors will follow. Donations may be made in memory of David to Preservation Ft. Sam Houston, PO Box 340308, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Brigham
Sponsored by The SARPMA Boys/planners .
Michele Moschides
February 17, 2015
A huge loss. We are heartbroken.
Friends,
Michele and Plato
Jim & Sandra
January 18, 2015
David was always your best friend whenever you were with him. Treated his friends with such respect and grace. We will all miss this guy who always greeted you with a smile. God Bless you David and thanks for having been a friend from the past.
Gene Villarreal
January 15, 2015
I am Sadden by the loss of my great friend and once fellow band member of the group, "Glass Onion". I was honored to enjoy his singing talents and adventures. We crossed paths again in 2005 through 2010 as I worked in the Safety Office at Fort Sam near his historic office. My only regret was that we did not have a band reunion as we had planned. Rest in peace, and now sing up a storm up there.
Ricky Hernandez
January 9, 2015
Debbie, I just found out about David. I am so sorry. Blessings to you and your family. Peace Light and Love to you all. Take care.
Eddie Cabrera
January 8, 2015
My condolences to the Brigham family. I was very sad to hear of his passing. We go back to the SARPMA days as others have mentioned. David always had a ready smile. Always willing to discuss work issues and help with his expertise. Playing golf with David was always a fun round!
Rest in peace my friend...
Eddie Cabrera
USACE (retired)
on drums
rene lopez
January 7, 2015
My sincere condolences on your loss, David was a good friend and I enjoyed when he sang w/ The Burning Desires at the Fort Sam basura bash, rest in peace my friend...
A Fan
January 6, 2015
Loved the "GLASS ONION". Great Band
January 4, 2015
We love the "Grass Onions"
Lisa Hester
January 4, 2015
I love you and will always remember the good and "bad" times that I caused. Love you Uncle, Dad David
Patricia Smith
January 2, 2015
My prayers and the Lord's blessing in your grief and loss. I enjoyed working with David when I worked at Ft. Sam Houston
Algie Byrd
January 2, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Suzanne Jensen
January 1, 2015
Prayers for you, Debby, and all your precious family who are hurting from this tremendous loss. I will never forget David's infectious laughter, and kindness. A beautiful soul has moved on ahead of us and the loss is great. I'm praying for healing and peace to come to you all in memory of a truly gifted and loving spirit. May God's infinite mercies and greatest blessings be upon all who were lucky enough to know David, and especially on the ones he loved most in life.
Suzy
Bill and Yvonne Wood
December 31, 2014
Deborah and Family,
Our sincere condolences. I was very distraught and sad to hear of David's passing. He will be with us in spirit during our annual New Years golf outing tomorrow. David was a great friend who will be missed by everyone. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
December 31, 2014
My condolences to the family.
Cyndi Judd
December 31, 2014
I worked with David for a couple of years at Fort Sam Houston. He was amazing as a person and passionate about his job at the installation. He will be missed.
mark freed
December 30, 2014
very sorry for your loss-debby
Kathy Weaver
December 30, 2014
David will be greatly missed at Ft Sam. He was a pleasure to work with and always cheerful and very helpful. Our prayers go out to his family.
Mavis Washington
December 30, 2014
My condolences to David's family in his passing. The folks from the CE Budget Office will miss him. Although he wasn't in the Budget Dept, he sat right in our area and had the priviledge of hearing us all day long! We also loved to see his pics showing off the grand kids.
Irwin Stuart
December 30, 2014
It is with great sorrow that I send my sincere condolences to the Brigham Family. I had the privilege of knowing and working with David for over 20 years. Many times, David and I would visit each other's cubicles and we'd talk about many things, but many of those conversations involved what motorcycle we wished to buy, or what home improvement projects we were working on. I will certainly miss those conversations with David, but I will never forget them. Rest in peace my friend.
Jim Kelson
December 30, 2014
Today, I read an unbelievable, sad message about Dave's Memorial service. My heart goes out to his whole family but especially to his grandchildren who I am sure will terribly miss their fantastic Grandpa. I worked closely with Dave in the Civil Engineer Squadron whenever it came to historical buildings. I counted him a friend, mentor, and most of all a great, nice all around guy and gentleman. I, as I know everyone who knew him, will miss Dave, especially his family. But Dave was part family to me as well being a fellow Army Veteran. May God bless you and your family Dave and rest in peace until we meet again.
December 30, 2014
My sincere condolences go out to the Brigham Family. I worked with David at Ft. Sam and he was truly one of a kind. I will miss his stories, laughter and kindness. David had a great love for his wife, children and grandchildren and shared that love with everyone around him. That is truly one of the things I loved about him.
Leslie Armstrong
Jonathan Scoggins
December 30, 2014
A great coworker and teacher. I'm a better person for having known him. It was a pleasure to work side by side with him and learn from him. He made the experance fun because he was having fun.
Tammy Ford
December 29, 2014
David was a genuinely nice guy with an ever-ready smile! I worked with David for several years at Fort Sam Houston. David inspired me to learn about Cultural Resources and was always eager to share his years of knowledge and experience.
LeAnne Benjamin
December 29, 2014
Deborah and family, Please accept my most heartfelt condolences to you on the passing of David. I will always remember his kind smile and friendship (FSH).
Jerry McWhorter
December 29, 2014
David was a great friend. I always looked forward to playing golf, making sausage and any other activity us old SARPMA buddies would do when we got together. He will be missed!!!! Jerry Mc
Samuel Meta
December 29, 2014
Lord be with you David. Our blessings go with you and family. May your family know that many will miss you and you are with him. Farewell!
Linda Hall
December 29, 2014
My prayers are with you and your family. May the Lord bring you peace. I have worked with David for over 25 years. He was so kind and enjoyed his humor. I will miss him.
Linda Hall
December 29, 2014
I have worked with David for thirty years and have a lot of respect for him. He will be missed. My condolences to you and your family. May the Lord bring you peace.
Hank Perez
December 29, 2014
Deb, Carmen and I send our sincere condolences on the unexpected death of David, he was one of the best friends a person could have. I will miss him on the golf course and at Bill's ranch.He was truly an amazing person.
Ross Hunt
December 29, 2014
Deborah and family; May God bless you and help you with your pain at this difficult time. I was so sorry to hear of Daves' passing. He was a wonderful guy with a great smile. I really enjoyed working with him in our short 3 years together at FT. Sam. I'll miss him.
Mike Quiroga
December 29, 2014
My sincere condolences to you and your family Deborah. Dave's one of the kindest persons I've ever known and a great friend. I truly do miss our every morning conversations here at work. Rest in peace my friend. God bless you Deborah and your family.
December 29, 2014
Deborah and Family,
My condolences, I was so sad to hear of David's passing...we had New Years golf planned, I was looking forward to seeing David at this annual event with the SARPMA boys...!
I will forever miss him, our friendship goes way back to the beginning of our Civil Service Careers at SARPMA that spanned over three decades after the closure of SARPMA.
To my fellow Army veteran.....Hoooah Brother for your service to country.
One of the SARPMA boys...
Michael M Mitchell
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Barry Beadles
December 28, 2014
My wife and I wish You Peace. Knew David growing up and in the same class at Edison. One of RJ's buddies as well.
December 28, 2014
Deborah and family,
My most heartfelt condolences to you on the passing of David. May the many many wonderful memories comfort you. Please know that so many prayers and thoughts are with you.
Love, Lisa Munoz
December 28, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss. May you have the comfort you need during this time.
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