David Albert passed away October 23, 2020, after a brief illness at the age of 93. He was predeceased by his parents, Lilly and Archie Albert, his brother, Richard Albert, and his sister, Doris Budner. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ginette; his children, Mark (Sara), Katherine, and Lisa (Mark Holmes); grandchildren, Claire Albert, Josef Albert, Maya Albert, and Natasha Holmes; and many nieces and nephews.
David was born in San Antonio in 1927. The family moved to Dallas after his father closed his menswear store and began his career at Byer Rolnick.
During World War II, David left Hillcrest HS and enlisted in the Coast Guard, despite not knowing how to swim. At SMU, determined to correct his swimming deficiency, he enrolled for a beginner’s class taught by the legendary Coach Barr. Barr recognized David’s raw talent and recruited him to join SMU’s swim team. A true competitor, within a short time David was a frequent medal winner in the butterfly.
At the age of 22, after the sudden death of his father, David struggled to find his place in the world of business. Barely into his journey, on a blind date he met a beautiful young French woman visiting the States for the first time. With no money and few employment prospects, yet smitten with an unbridled love, he chased her across the ocean and, with his signature determination, convinced her to marry him. Ginette saw a man of courage and strength, confident in her choice, she never worried about their prospects.
David rotated through a series of jobs: he sold clothing at Titche’s and used cars on Commerce; worked the oil fields; sold industrial water treatment; prospected for uranium; built his own gas station; became a stock broker. Next, he started an outdoor advertising sign business, something he had quite a knack for. He built apartments and commercial properties; found his way back into the oil business and, after achieving a level of financial success, fell in love with horse racing.
David was unafraid to try new ideas. Some gambles worked; many didn’t. Despite the setbacks, the wins far outweighed the losses. He enjoyed accumulating, but the money was only useful as fuel for his next venture. With modest needs, he drove a twenty-year-old pickup truck and bought only shirts on sale. He loved giving things away more than earning the money to buy them. Friends and family benefited from his largesse and everyone he came into contact with. He always had a new trinket to give a waiter or a nurse. The latest was a 49 cent mini-flashlight.
Aware that his father’s two-pack-a-day smoking habit took his life early, David became an early anti-smoking advocate. He campaigned to push through Dallas’ first anti-smoking ordinance, which prohibited smoking only in elevators and hospital corridors. in [do you know the year?]
He returned a borrowed item in better shape than when he received it. He had an equal respect for everyone from the ditch-digger to the banker. He owned an innate sense of fairness and generously assumed everyone behaved likewise. He trusted everyone and only rarely to his regret.
David never forgot the sacrifices made by his fellow soldiers and sailors. He was honored to greet soldiers at DFW airport as they returned from overseas and he established a monthly First Tuesday tribute to veterans at the Casita Tex-Mex restaurant he so loved.
Walking out the door most mornings, he would say: “I’m going to go do something, even if it’s wrong”. Determination was his strongest asset. He was unafraid of criticism and would leap into the unknown. He always encouraged people to take the risk. There was no dishonor in failing, as long as you were trying. Success was less important than the striving. David acted as if unacquainted with his limitations, never afraid to tackle any task that intrigued him. What could appear as stubbornness was his brand of persistence. He made his own luck by hard work. He chased every dream and it was the zest for the chase, not the prize, that gave him the greatest joy.
He proudly reflected on a life well-lived. He was a committed and loyal husband, a generous father and grandfather, and an inspiring role model to many, demonstrating an ever-present optimism and can-do spirit. He did what he wanted; he did what he loved.
The family requests that tributes in David’s honor be made to Temple Emanu-El or the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. A private graveside service will take place on Monday, followed by an evening minyan service via ZOOM.
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