Dr. James Porter David Sr.

Dr. James Porter David, Sr

A Mass of Christian burial celebrating the life Dr. James Porter David, Sr. will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2013 in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, with Rev. Martin Laird, Rev. Dan O'Connor, Rev. Bruce Miller and Rev. Ken Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 20, 2013 and again from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Dr. James Porter David, Sr., 67, of Alexandria, passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at home surrounded by his family.

He is preceded in death by his parents John E. and Elmena David.

Jim was born to John E. David and Elmena Porter David on June 19, 1946. He was raised in Pineville where he attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Bolton High School. His parents focused on instilling core values, including family, Catholic Faith, music and a love of the outdoors. Jim grew up hunting and fishing with his father, brother and cousins, as well as singing in the church choir and playing the saxophone.

After high school, Jim continued his education, receiving his undergraduate degree at Northwestern State University with honors, and his Medical Doctorate at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he also completed his residency. He followed up with a fellowship in Vascular Surgery in Memphis, TN. Jim then returned home to practice general and vascular surgery, which he has done for the past 40 years, with board certification in General, Vascular and Peripheral Vein Surgery. He focused his past 12 years of his professional life exclusively on the practice he built, The Vascular Clinic.

During all of his schooling, he still found time for love. Jim met his wife Vicki, in New Orleans where they later married in 1971 and had four beautiful children. Jim and his wife worked hard to raise their children with those same core values that he was raised on. Jim took care of everyone, he never met a stranger; counseling and caring for not only his family, but also his patients and anyone that crossed his path. He was a kind, generous, loving and empathetic care provider. Jim will be lovingly remembered as a wonderful husband, father, "papaw", brother, uncle and friend to many.

Those left to cherish his memories include his wife of 42 years Vicki David of Alexandria; his children: Dr. Amy Babin (Scott) of Alexandria, Jim David, Jr. (Rachel) of Shreveport, Angela Abrams (Matt) of Shreveport, and Joseph David of Safford, AZ; his grandchildren: Emma, Luke, Andrew, Jude and Kate Babin; Anna and Jacob David, Lottie Abrams; his brother John David, Jr. of Pineville; his sisters: Anne Smith (Mark) of Leesville and Sue Rhea(Milton) of Alexandria; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Jim David, Jr., Joseph David, Milton Rhea, Mark Smith, Sr., Scott Babin , Matt Abrams and Jim Herrington.

Honorary pallbearers will be John David, Jr., and his Prayer Group of 30 years.

The family requests memorials are made in honor of Dr. James David to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at 230 East Ohio St, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611; or to Our Lady of Prompt Succor at 401 21st St, Alexandria, LA 71301.

Jim, and his family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all of his medical colleagues who have cared for him with skill and love throughout his illness; and special thanks for the gift of life given through his lung transplant donor and family.

To extend online condolences to the David Family please visit us at www.kramerfunerals.com.