David Esau Awabdy

David was a devoted husband, father, and family man whose life was deeply rooted in the people he loved. He shared 24 years of marriage with his wife, Shelbi Awabdy, and together they built a family that meant everything to him. Above all, David was passionate about his family. Time spent with the people he loved was never simply something he fit into his life—it was at the very heart of it. He treasured being together, sharing experiences, creating memories, and making a life alongside his wife and children.

David had a profound love of the outdoors, but few places captured his heart like the ocean. He loved surfing, fishing, being near the water, and learning everything he could about the sea. The ocean was not simply a backdrop to his life; it was something he was endlessly curious about and deeply connected to. He loved studying it, talking about it, and returning to it whenever he could. Whether he was standing on the shore, watching the water, fishing, surfing, or exploring the coastline with one of his medium-format film cameras, the ocean was a place where David felt deeply at home.

Raised in California, David also had an enduring love for the Sierra Nevada and knew the mountains like the back of his hand. Yosemite held an especially meaningful place in his life and in the story of his family. David and Shelbi were married there, surrounded by the landscape they loved, and Yosemite became a place they returned to again and again. Nearly every summer they could, they went back with their family, creating memories among the granite cliffs, forests, rivers, and trails that became woven into their life together. For David, Yosemite was more than a beautiful place; it was part of his marriage, his family history, and the rhythm of the life they built.

David had a deep love for Christ and for the Bible. His faith was something he thought about, studied, discussed, and wrestled with deeply. He especially loved studying Bible prophecy and could spend hours debating its meaning, examining different interpretations, and learning everything he could. He was an avid reader with a great love of books, and over the years he built a large personal library reflecting the many subjects that captured his curiosity.

He was also a lifelong student of the things that fascinated him. David was a history buff who loved learning about the past, the people who shaped it, and the stories that connected generations. He loved The Lord of the Rings and the rich world, history, and adventure within it. He also spoke often and proudly of his heritage, valuing both his Scottish roots and his Middle Eastern and Syrian ancestry. His sense of history was not simply academic; it was personal, connecting him to the generations and cultures that came before him.

One of the things David loved most was sharing what he knew with his children. Whether the subject was Scripture, history, family heritage, the ocean, the mountains, photography, or something he had recently discovered in a book, he loved passing along what he had learned. Teaching, explaining, debating, and telling stories were all part of the way he connected with his family and invited them into the things that mattered to him.

Eventually, that same love of nature, family, and a simpler way of living led David to take his family across the country to North Carolina. There, they traded the pace of California for life in the country and the opportunity to build something quieter together. Yet California, the ocean, the Sierras, and especially Yosemite always remained a part of him. Whether he was standing beside the sea, fishing, wandering through the mountains with a camera, exploring somewhere new, talking about history or Scripture, reading late into the evening, or simply spending time at home with his family, David found his greatest joy in being present with the people and places he loved.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Shelbi; his four children, Austin and his wife Hannah Lee, Owen and his wife Kim, Hannah Joy, and Emma Olivia; his three siblings, Abed, Ruth and her husband Bobby, and Julie and her husband Christopher; his dear mother, Doreen, and many loving cousins. He also loved his nieces and nephews dearly and treasured the place they held in his life and family. He was preceded in death by his father, Esau Awabdy.

David will be remembered not simply for the years of his life, but for the place he held within his family—the memories he created, the love he gave, the ways he shaped those closest to him, and the countless ordinary moments that now carry extraordinary meaning.

Those who loved David will carry him forward in the stories they tell, the lessons he gave them, the laughter they remember, the places that will forever bring him to mind, the truths he spent his life seeking, and the love that does not end with death.

His family will remember him with profound love and gratitude, and his presence will remain an enduring part of their lives.