David Paragas

C. David Paragas, age 64, peacefully departed this life on October 13, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, David’s life was marked by his unwavering dedication, warmth, and exceptional talent as a father, friend, lawyer, and advocate.

Preceded in death by his mother, Marlene Gillespie Paragas, father Conrado G. Paragas, and beloved sister Lisa Paragas, David is survived by his wife Lee, son Zachary, daughter Zoe, sister Debra (Tom), nieces and nephews Shane (Kara), Cassidy, Kyla, Katrina, Caylin, Jake, Sam, Caleb, Emma, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

David placed his family and friends above all else. He loved each of them deeply and was ready to help with any request, big or small. He gave freely of his time and talents. Nothing made him happier than mentoring young adults interested in the law, connecting people from various parts of his life, and being a catalyst for good. His excitement was palpable when he managed to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

He met Lee in 1996 and quickly realized she shared his values. Once they figured out how to divide a closet, building a life together came naturally. And, it was such a meaningful life, filled with a multitude of friendships, celebrations, travel, laughter, and community service. David never took for granted his success - he remembered his roots, acted with humility and grace, understood what really mattered in life, and focused on making a difference in his community. When he entered a room, he brought light, positivity, and infectious energy. His brilliant smile, beautiful head of hair, and meticulous suits were his trademarks.

His children were his crown jewels. If you asked how they were doing, you had better be ready for a long and detailed conversation. Proud isn’t a strong enough word to describe how he felt about them. He was a fun-loving, silly, and protective dad. He spent hours retrieving footballs kicked by Zach and preparing Filipino dishes with Zoe. An avid cyclist, he toured the countryside with friends, testing his endurance by hammering hard and climbing to new heights. Everything he did was steeped in love and taken to the next level. He turned his cycling into 15 years of riding Pelotonia, raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer research at The James. Even this year, when his cancer had incurably spread, he mustered every ounce of energy to ride alongside his wife, son, and dedicated friends. He was a hero that day, and it gave him the lift he needed to keep on fighting.

A 1983 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, he went on to earn a law degree from Capital University Law School in 1990. As a lawyer, David built a highly successful career representing a wide array of clients in forums that stretched from the statehouse to the courthouse. A distinguished legal professional, David was renowned for his meticulous preparation and heartfelt advocacy. With almost four decades of legislative, political, and legal experience, he served as a senior aide to Ohio Senate Presidents, advised on policy before the White House and federal agencies, and represented numerous state departments, agencies, and universities. His remarkable career included successfully arguing several cases before the Ohio Supreme Court and advising on a broad range of issues from healthcare to education and housing insecurity.

David was also a dedicated campaign strategist and a passionate supporter of community initiatives, serving on boards and committees, including the United Way of Central Ohio, Flying Horse Farms, MidOhio Food Bank, the Columbus School for Girls, and Junior Achievement of Central Ohio. His leadership and commitment extended far beyond his professional life, inspiring many through his service and integrity.

A recipient of The Best Lawyers in America and Ohio Super Lawyers honors, David's impact extended well beyond his legal work. His professionalism, warmth, and ability to foster trust made him a cherished colleague and friend. David’s legacy will forever be remembered for his unwavering commitment to justice, public service, and community. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

David and his family would like to thank Dr. Sameek Roychowdhury, his talented team, and all the caring nurses and staff at The James Cancer Hospital. Furthermore, we thank the nurses at Kobacker House who are truly angels on earth. All of you made David feel deeply loved.

David’s life will be remembered and celebrated on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 5:00pm until 8:30pm at The Stack at Municipal Light Plant in the Arena District, 589 W. Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, Ohio. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 6:00pm. Visitors are strongly encouraged to park in the Astor Public Park Garage.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at OSU. Checks can be made out to The OSUCCC – James , with Fund #315680 in the memo line and mailed to The Ohio State University Foundation, P. O. Box 736096, Chicago, IL 60673-6096 or online at https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/315680?Source_Code=DEV_AG-0-GivingNav-ON-S .