David Stubbs Christian

David Stubbs Christian lived a purposeful life within a sad predicament. Born April 28, 1934 to San Antonio physician Thomas Christian and his wife Dorris Stubbs Christian. David was a raucous youth who lived life to the fullest, but due to his dyslexia, was somewhat negligent of his studies. Upon graduation from Texas Military Institute in 1953, where he was class president for three years, attained Captain of Company B, and excelled in football, David plunged into fraternity life at UT. In November 1953, while participating in a fraternity wood gathering competition for the UT and A&M Turkey Day bonfire, he fell off the truck, suffering massive brain damage. Specialists concurred that David would never function higher than a blind three year old with memory and visual recognition centers totally destroyed. Through the devotion and determination of his family and three years of intensive therapy under Dr. Empress Zedler and the speech therapy department at San Marcos University, David regained some of his cognitive and most of his physical skills. While the results of the accident would be tragic, David never complained nor indulged in self-pity, Indeed, he felt that we're all here for a purpose, and he spent his life inspiring others.

David lived in San Antonio until moving to Marbridge Foundation in 1997. His youth included time at the ranch with his horse Peggy and fishing jaunts aboard the Dos Amigos from the coast house in Port Aransas. David always enjoyed working with others and making a contribution. After stints at the Upstairs Downstairs antique shop and Pac-Mor Manufacturing, David worked 20 years with perfect attendance at the Lighthouse for the blind where he made many friends and was awarded National Worker of the Year in 1989. At Marbridge, David held a lead position in the choir and convened frequent pep talks in his room to rally others who occasionally despaired of their situations.

David was wise. He quoted saying from all faiths, and almost always had an anecdote to share. David was witty; he enjoyed a good laugh and poked gentle fun at others, often employing silly nicknames for his closest friends. His insights and ability to laugh at his own foibles remind us that not much is as serious as we think. David was proud; he hated being treated as an inferior, and was prone to give a piece of his mind to anyone who pandered to him. David was fun; he was up for almost anything and just a few weeks ago, was hurling a bowling ball towards pins he couldn't see.

He loved jalapenos (which he secreted into his room), greasy Tex-Mex and barbeque, holding forth on various topics, singing in the choir, an occasional cold beer, and listening to books on tape.

David passed away peacefully on September 1 during a grand mal seizure, an ultimate result of his head injury. He is survived by his loving sister Mary Elizabeth Christian and partner, Judy Lusted, (of San Antonio); his devoted niece Cynthia Christian Shea and husband, Patrick, and their children George, Austin and Anne (of Austin); and his faithful sister-in-law and administrator Barbara Christian, wife of his deceased brother Tommy Christian (of San Antonio). He leaves many, many friends; not only those at Marbridge, but also the graduating class of 1953 from Texas Military Institute, both of whom considered David a (ring) leader. Also missing David's good company are his close friends Melody Hall, John Paul Gough, and James Walvoord.

We are all the better for David's influence in our lives. He suffered the ultimate sacrifice yet never complained. He relied on others, but remained fiercely independent. He enjoyed life, yet had no material things. Please celebrate his memory by eating a jalapeo cheeseburger and disregarding minor tyrants.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

11:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to The Marbridge Foundation, P.O. Box 2250, Manchaca, Texas 78652, or Texas Military Institute, 20955 Tejas Tri W, San Antonio, Texas 78257.