David Mack DeBord

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

David Mack DeBord, 73, much beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend unexpectedly went to be with his Lord on September 23, 2021.

David was an amazing man. Never judging, always encouraging, he never spoke a harsh word about anyone, no matter how he was treated. David was the kindest person you would ever meet. His heart to serve and help people was genuine - he was never too busy to stop and listen and he modeled a life of sacrifice and humility. David never met a stranger. A few minutes of talking with David was like a ray of sunshine into every life he touched. He will be greatly missed by all.

David was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on December 16, 1947, to Mack Roy DeBord and Virginia Ruth Frazier. Around age 4 his family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he lived until graduating from high school. David attended William Carey University and went on to complete graduate studies at Southern Seminary earning a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry.

David pursued two passions in his career – Christian ministry and residential building. He loved both and was always striving to achieve excellence in building and provide compassion and love in ministry. His early career was all focused on pastoral care, starting in South Carolina churches and eventually relocating to First Baptist of Norfolk as Associate Pastor. After a few years of sabbatical from ministry David moved to Pasadena, California where he founded the Pasadena Christian Counseling Center. He also joined the faculty of Fuller Seminary and became Executive Director of Deep Healing Ministries, Inc. During his time in Pasadena, he published his book on spiritual warfare with co-author Charles H. Kraft, Rules of Engagement. He also traveled extensively with Dr. Kraft throughout the country and to Europe and Korea teaching and training on deep healing prayer and spiritual warfare. He was a founding member of Harvest Rock Church led by Pastor Ché Ahn.

His career as a builder began during a sabbatical from ministry when he turned his love of carpentry into a job with a large home builder. He really enjoyed learning how to take a drawing and bring it to life! After a few years there he started his own remodeling company and became President of the TBA Remodelers Council until relocating to California in 1993. Returning to Virginia Beach in 2001 David opened DeBord Custom Homes which won many Homearama Awards over the years. He was also in the East Beach Builders Guild building many beautiful homes in East Beach and was selected to be a Southern Living Builder representing Virginia Beach. His most recent position was Vice President of Building and Operations at the JADE Building Group.

As much as David enjoyed his careers, the role he cherished most was that of father. His children were quick to understand the goodness of God and to embrace God the Father because David was such a good earthly model. David had a quiet strength that would rise to meet any occasion with the perfect word, the right advice, and compassionate discipline. David loved his time with his children, driving the kids to school every day was one of his joys. Whether it was ballet, ice-skating, music lessons, theater, cheerleading, softball, volleyball, track or other school events, David was always present and fully engaged, cheering them on, building theater sets, attending parent meetings, loving them through the ups and downs of life, always assuring them they were loved unconditionally as Christ loves us.

David is predeceased by his parents, his daughter Sarah Elizabeth DeBord, and his sister Barbara DeBord McAllister. Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife of almost 30 years, Constance Snapp DeBord, sister-in-law Bonnie Snapp Blount and her husband Ron Blount of Suffolk and nephews Joshua and Jeremy Blount; sister-in-law, Trish Todd Snapp; and nephew Adam Penn Snapp and his wife Emily, all of Virginia Beach; and Brother-in-law, Bill McAllister and his four children, Cherie, Shane, Stephanie, and Steven, all of Florence, South Carolina. David is also survived by his children Jonathan Paul DeBord and wife Nikki, Meridian, Mississippi; Justin Leyvas and wife Jovi of Los Angeles California and daughters Esther Tyree Xiu DeBord and Hannah Ruth Jian DeBord, both of Virginia Beach. Additionally, he leaves behind five grandchildren, Joshua Benjamin DeBord, Jody Paul DeBord, Jake Steven Leyvas, Merrick Anthony Woody and Lachlan Samuel Woody.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 11:00AM at First Baptist Church of Norfolk, 312 Kempsville Rd, Norfolk, Virginia with Dr. Phillip Herring presiding. The message will be delivered by David’s pastor, Bishop E.W. Jackson, Sr. of The Called Church, Chesapeake, Virginia. Burial will follow the service at 1:00PM at Peninsula Memorial Park Cemetery, Newport News, Virginia. Serving as pallbearers are Ron Blount, Joshua Blount, David Clarke, Ted Drake, Ashton Otey, and Adam Snapp. The funeral service will be live streamed at firstnorfolk.org/live and Facebook.com/firstnorfolk.

Serving as pallbearers are Ashton Otey, Ron Blount, Joshua Blount, Adam Snapp, David Clarke and Ted Drake.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kellumfuneralhome.com for the DeBord family.