David Coleman Raphael

David Coleman Raphael, born on November 13, 1942, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026. Born in New Orleans, the third of four boys, to Thomas Webb Raphael and Claire Coleman Raphael, David grew up on Monroe Street in the Dixon neighborhood, where he attended Little Flower Catholic school (which he hated), then Jesuit High School (which he loved).

When David was 17, he met his future wife, Rita Bares, on a double date to a Sacred Heart High School dance (Rita was the other guy’s date). They soon became high school sweethearts, married in 1965, and later moved to Metairie, where they raised their three children.

David was a hard-working, gentle, generous, and kind husband, father, grandfather, dentist, colleague, and friend. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1960 and from Loyola University Dental School in 1966. He practiced dentistry in New Orleans and Metairie for 55 years. He never stopped learning, reading widely in history, science, and current events, and pursuing continuing education in dentistry. He became a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and later earned the Academy of General Dentistry Mastership Award. He also held memberships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), the New Orleans Dental Association, the LDA, and the ADA.

At various times during his life, David avidly played baseball, racquetball, tennis, and golf. There was even a brief foray into scuba diving. He was also an enthusiastic runner, who ran across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the 1979 and 1980 Mardi Gras Marathons. He was a charter member of the Beach Club and the Krewe of Argus parade, both in Metairie. In a world that is not designed for people with hearing loss, David persisted in any goal he wanted to pursue. His wry, insightful humor will be remembered by family and friends. Over the years, we have heard from others of kind things he did for them, and there must be many we will never know because he never talked about his good deeds.

David was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Rita Bares Raphael, and his parents, Thomas Webb Raphael and Claire Coleman Raphael. He is survived by his brothers, Thomas Raphael, Jr., Robert Raphael, and Raymond Raphael; two daughters, Rebecca M. Raphael and Claire J. Raphael (Lindsay); and one son, David C. Raphael, Jr. (Diana). He will always be “Pops” to his three grandchildren, Corey T. Moody, Jr. (Sara), Amanda E. Raphael, and Alejandro D. Raphael (Ileana); and his great granddaughter, Juno G. Raphael.

The family would like to give special thanks Jackie LaBeaud, Carol Gabourel, and all of the staff at St. Margaret’s at Mercy in New Orleans, for their devoted care and attention to David’s needs during the final years of his life.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at the Chapel of the North American Martyrs at Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St. New Orleans on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11 a.m., followed by Mass at 1 p.m. and interment at Metairie Cemetery in All Saints Mausoleum, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hearing Health Foundation and/or Covenant House. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com