David Joe Gury

Born in Hastings, Michigan, on December 14, 1938, David was the second child and only son of the Rev. Canon Don M. Gury and Lucile V. Lickly Gury. His father served as rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Hastings for over 30 years, and David spent his entire childhood living in the church rectory. He and his sister, Donna Lou, often spoke fondly of their adventures growing up as “preacher’s kids.” The siblings shared a close lifelong bond—from the day he was placed under the family’s Christmas tree as a newborn “present” to the time of Donna Lou’s passing two years ago.

David graduated from Hastings High School in 1956, and went on to attend Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He spent a memorable junior year studying abroad at the University of Madrid in Spain and earned his AB in Economics in 1960. Two years later, he completed his MBA at the University of Chicago, where he was a research fellow with Arthur Andersen and Company.

David began a long and distinguished career in the pharmaceutical, plasma, and biotechnology industries, with his first position at Abbott Laboratories in Highland Park, Illinois. His work later took him to Abbott Italy to help develop their European operations, and then to Pasadena, California.

In the summer of 1962, David married his junior high school sweetheart Judi Hansen, beginning a partnership filled with love, adventure, and shared dreams. Together they adopted two children—Jeannine Marie in 1967 and Sean David in 1969—while living in Illinois. Their years together were marked by warmth, devotion, and deep family bonds that laid the foundation for David’s lifelong capacity for love. After moving to Pasadena, the family became active members of St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church in San Marino, California, where they found strong community support during Judi’s courageous battle with diabetes. David faced her passing in January 1972 with grace, faith, and enduring love for the life they built together.

In the spring of 1972, David married Karen Seals Wedding, marking a new chapter of love and family. Together they brought their families together—David with his two children, and Karen with her son, Dennis—creating a blended home full of energy, change, and shared determination. These were rich and demanding years. Through it all, David and Karen worked together to build stability, shared purpose, and enduring connection. During this time, David continued his active ministry at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, serving faithfully on the vestry.

In 1984, David accepted the role of President, CEO and Chairman of North American Biologicals, Inc. (later becoming NABI Biopharmaceuticals), based in Miami, Florida and then moving operations to Boca Raton. Sean joined him in Florida for high school, while Jeannine and Dennis completed their high school studies in California. Karen managed the transition between coasts with grace and dedication. Over nearly two decades at NABI, David earned national and international recognition as a biotech pioneer and advocate, known for his leadership and vision in advancing medical innovation. He retired in 2004 after a distinguished career marked by integrity, curiosity, and deep respect from colleagues around the world.

David and Karen became active members of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in Boca Raton, where David served on the vestry for multiple terms, including twice as Senior Warden. His faith and leadership extended beyond the parish through his foundational role in establishing the South Florida Haiti Project in partnership with the people of Bondeau, Haiti, in 2001. His tireless work and generosity helped build the Friendship House in Bondeau—a place of hospitality and hope for both visitors and the local community. David also served on St. Gregory’s Finance and Endowment Committees and was a beloved member of the Men’s Spiritual Group.

Throughout his life, David was devoted to his family. He cherished summers with Jeannine, her husband Scott, and their children Cameron, Caleb, and Aidan, and he celebrated time spent with Sean and his daughter Grace. David’s quiet generosity, wisdom, and love were steadfast gifts to all who knew him.

In his later years, David continued to share his deep expertise as Principal of Gury Consulting, LLC, and served in key leadership roles as Treasurer of the Florida Atlantic University Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Scripps Florida Funding Corporation, an appointment made by Governor Jeb Bush. He was also a founding director of BioFlorida, the state’s leading life sciences organization. In recognition of his lasting influence, The David J. Gury Company of the Year Award was established in his honor. His thoughtful guidance and steady leadership left an enduring impact on every organization he touched.

David and Karen later divorced, and in 2019, he married his beloved husband Elias Baez III, who survives him. Together, they enjoyed their years in Ocean Ridge, Florida, traveling and building a life of love and companionship before moving to St. Andrew’s Estates in Boca Raton. During his final stage, David found joy in the simple pleasures of life—watching tennis, learning chess, going to Friday Happy Hour, and practicing Tai Chi with friends at St. Andrew’s.

David will be remembered for his intellect, grace, and generous spirit. He was deeply devoted to his family, steadfast in faith, and unfailingly kind. His influence will continue to live on through the lives he touched, the institutions he strengthened, and the love he shared.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Judith Gury, his sister Donna Lou Traver Smith, and brother-in-law Donald K. Traver.

He is survived by his husband Elias Baez III; Jeannine Gury (Scott Peters); and Sean Gury; as well as grandchildren Cameron, Caleb, Aidan, and Grace; and his former wife Karen Gury of Boca Raton, Florida. He is further survived by many countless family and friends who were touched by his presence, kindness, and love.

A memorial service and reception will be held at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton, on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Gregory’s South Florida Haiti Project, honoring David’s lifelong commitment to service and compassion.