David Leo Straub passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2025 after a prolonged illness. He was born on January 14, 1962 in Okinawa, Japan. Having been born into a US Air Force family, David spent his early childhood in the Philippines before settling in Bossier City, Louisiana. Upon graduation from Parkway High School, David enlisted in the US Navy. He began his military service at Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans, where he was proud to have become a “plank owner” of the USS Platte. It was on this ship stationed in Norfolk, Virginia that he served his country for the duration of his enlistment. During his time in the Navy, he learned the trade of Electronics and Instrumentation Technology which he would later apply to his post military career in positions with Measurex at Stone Container Corp in Hodge, John H. Carter Co. in Baton Rouge, and International Paper Red River Mill in Campti.
David was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was an excellent provider who remained steadfastly supportive and protective of his family. David possessed an incredible work ethic and it was not unusual for him to spend a week’s vacation painting the entire house or building a fence across more than an acre of backyard. He had a generous heart and thought nothing of sharing his lunches with co-workers or volunteering to cut a neighbor’s lawn. It always pained David to buy a vehicle in any color other than bright blue and if you wanted to make him happy, all you needed to do was offer to take him to DQ for an M&M Blizzard where he could never decide whether to order a mini or splurge on a small. When taken for early morning drives which were his absolute favorite thing to do, he never failed to break out in song at the appearance of the sunrise. If you were fortunate, he would also gift you with his best impersonation of Kermit the frog. Obviously, he was a treasure and will be greatly missed. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 37 years, Shawna (Gordon) Straub; his son, Dr. Joseph A. Straub and his daughter, Bethany (Straub) Edwards and her husband, Adam C. Edwards, all of Natchitoches; two sisters, Sheryl Arrant (Billy) and Linda McGarry (Dan) and one brother, Michael Straub (Pam); and a host of nieces, nephews and friends, including man’s best friend who goes by the name of Fred. He is preceded in death by his father, Jack H. Straub and his mother, Joycelyn L. Straub.
David was a lifelong student of the Bible and a man of unwavering faith. He endured more than a decade and a half of Parkinson’s Disease, which insidiously chipped away at his physical and cognitive health. However, David possessed the greatest treasure in the Holy Spirit and, as a result, he never stumbled or faltered in the Lord’s strength, deep inner peace and abounding joy which were renewed day by day. His family were first-hand witnesses to the amazing grace of God in providing a wellspring for David’s soul, and this is the enduring legacy that he leaves behind to all of those who knew him well. If he were here today, he would be the first to say that this world is not our home and that our lives are merely a vapor. David’s favorite Bible verse was Luke 23:43, “Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise’”. Triumphantly, David has now finished his earthly race and has joined the redeemed in Heaven where Christ is.
His family wishes to thank Dr. Kathleen Kautz for her compassionate and excellent care throughout their journey with Parkinson’s Disease. David wished to be cremated. A memorial service and inurnment is planned for Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 US-80, Haughton, Louisiana.
“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” Jude 1:24-25.
