Ralph Elbert David

October 31, 1927 – March 9, 2022

Ralph was born on October 31, 1927, in Falfurrias, Texas, to Elisa Almaraz and Elbert David, a water well driller in South Texas. He and his older brother Ruben grew up working on their father’s ranch and watermelon farm. Ralph met the love of his life, Elva Martinez, as a teenager , in Hebbronville , and they were married in 1948.

Ralph entered the banking profession in Hebbronville before moving to Angleton, in 1951, and finally to Freeport, in 1955, where he and Elva raised their family and have lived ever since. He began working for First Freeport National Bank as a cashier and over the next 18 years was promoted to Vice President, Director and eventually became President in 1972. His personal interest and trust in people were key to the development of many local businesses.

His community involvement included chairman of the Hospital board of trustees forming Brazosport Memorial Hospital, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and First United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for more than 50 years.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother.

He is survived by Elva, his wife of 73 years; and six children, David (Jody), Bill (Kathy), Judy Johnson (Ken), Sam (Kay), Dennis (Jina), and Ralph Jr. There are a total of 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Ralph will always be remembered for his absolute devotion to the family, his dry sense of humor, his corny phrases, and his refusal to smile for photographs. Ralph and Elva enjoyed their retirement years traveling and visiting their children to see countless concerts, plays, sporting events, graduations, and weddings of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They also enjoyed their time at home working crossword puzzles, watching TV, and eating takeout dinners.

Services will be held at First Freeport Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the church are requested.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.restwoodfuneralhome.com for the David family.