David John LaBrec

David “Dave” John LaBrec peacefully joined the Lord on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.

Born in Mondovi, Wisconsin, Dave was the second child of Ruth Marie (Miller) and Robert John LaBrec, younger only to his big sister and followed by three younger brothers. Career demands moved the LaBrec family during Dave’s young years from Durand, Wisconsin, to Flagstaff, Arizona, Farmington, New Mexico, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. They settled in El Paso, Texas and it was evident, even then, that Dave would live his life dedicated to fighting for people who could not fight for themselves. He graduated from Andress High School in 1966, and earned his Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from Texas Western College (now University of Texas El Paso) in 1971. He then moved to San Antonio to attend Law School.

In 1973, he earned his Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law, followed by over 45 years of municipal and administrative law practice across the United States. Dave tried over 75 jury trials and argued cases in forums ranging from municipal tribunals to the Supreme Court of the United States. He served as Chief Trial Attorney for the City of El Paso, First Assistant City Attorney for El Paso and Dallas, General Counsel for the Texas Municipal League, and as a member and chair of various state and national organizations. Dave joined the law firm of Strasburger & Price, PLLC in 1989 and remained with the firm until he retired in 2014. Once elected partner, Dave was a member of the policy committee and served as Chair to the Firm’s Government and Administrative Law team.

Always dedicated to justice, Dave was a recognized authority in law enforcement, civil rights, governmental liability, and insurance litigation. Representing municipalities and citizens, Dave secured numerous multimillion-dollar resolutions for clients. Dave was also instrumental in drafting legislation regarding liability and immunity of governmental entities. He was a highly sought-after public speaker and a nationally-recognized author on civil liability issues. Family, friends, and clients knew Dave fearlessly advocated for what was right. He didn’t seek permission before going to battle, but only required a worthy cause to pursue justice. Neither popularity nor convenience could stand in his way. Dave has been described as both a “prolific public speaker” and an “exceptional listener”.

Dave received extensive awards, honors, and accolades during his career including:

• “Outstanding Ex”, Andress High School 1976-1977

• “Boss of the Year” El Paso Legal Secretaries Association, 1979

• Outstanding National Public Service Award, National Institute of Municipal Law, 1986

• Certificates of Appreciation, State Bar of Texas 1986 & 1990

• Recognition from Defense Research Institute, Chicago Illinois, 1991

• Elected to Board of Governors, National Insurance Crime Bureau, 1997

• Texas Super Lawyer, 2004

• “Outstanding Mentor Award”, Texas City Attorneys Association, 2018

• Board Member, Dallas Citizens’ Police Review Board 2018-2019

• Admitted to the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, 2025

• Achieved highest “AV” rating with Martindale-Hubbell (Peer-rated as highest level of professional excellence both in legal ability and ethical standards.)

Out of deep love for his work and for people, Dave prioritized and invested time into mentoring the next generation of attorneys. Each mentee was presented with Dave’s favorite question about practicing law: “What do clients want most from an attorney?” The answer: “resolution”. Dave focused young attorneys on this attainable goal, encouraging them to problem-solve, grow, and succeed.

If you asked Dave what he loved most about his career, he would undoubtedly tell you it was the people he came to know and love. Fellow attorneys, staff, clients and court personnel comprised a large part of Dave’s extensive group of friends and each knew Dave to be brave, creative, unique, and powerful. These connections followed Dave into retirement and news of his passing revealed countless stories of how Dave profoundly affected so many lives.

A career so accomplished often consumes a man, but not Dave. He considered time precious, and his most cherished moments were spent with his beloved wife Cathy. Dave and Cathy lived, laughed, travelled, and danced through life together. Faithfully supporting each other through life’s blessings and challenges, Dave and Cathy adored each other. For many years, they spent their free time at Lake Whitney, where they were known as a guaranteed source of welcoming faces, good food, and great times. Their annual 4th of July fireworks show was a must-see event.

When Cathy left this world in 2022, Dave was devastated, yet he still gave us all a few more years to enjoy his laughter and light; his warmth and resilience; his presence and joy. He moved back to San Antonio, near family and quickly reconnected with many law school friends. He then made many new friends and neighbors, whom he loved dearly. Dave served as Board President at the retirement community in which he lived, and even successfully petitioned the city to put in a four-way stop sign at the community crosswalk. This effort continues protecting residents, neighbors, and hundreds of drivers each day.

Dave had a fervent love of sailing, which he indulged his entire adult life including sailing trips in San Francisco, San Diego, and the Caribbean Islands. In addition, he loved tennis and was an avid player. Achieving a 4.5 rating at his best, Dave won the El Paso City Tournament. In recent years, he often spent his evenings dancing to Billy Joel with beloved friends; his weekends eating peanuts with Carter and watching professional tennis tournaments, reading a book by Arthur Ashe, or cheering for the Longhorns and the Green Bay Packers (depending on the day).

Both of Dave’s daughters were by his side when he peacefully passed. He knew he was heaven-bound and was ready to celebrate with Jesus and Cathy. Dave was at peace because he knew Jesus and he passionately shared his love for Christ with the congregation at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.

Dave was preceded in death by his father, mother, his precious wife of 36 years Catherine “Cathy” Ann LaBrec, and youngest brother Anthony “Tony”. Dave is survived by his daughter Jenny Marie Splawn (Mike), his daughter Megan LaBrec Burchard (Brock), his grandsons Joshua and Hunt, his sister Kathy Kirkpatrick (Jim), his brother Steve (Linda), his brother Robert (Angela), his stepbrother Bill Everette (Lynda), twenty-eight cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, countless friends, and his darling dog Carter.

The family of David LaBrec wishes to extend their sincere thanks to staff and residents of the Forum at Lincoln Heights for their care and community, to the ICU staff at Northeast Baptist Hospital for their tremendous care, and to Dave’s many friends for their concern and support.

The family will host a Celebration of Life honoring Dave in October.

As we cope with the loss of such an incredible man, may we endeavor to exemplify the value and dignity Dave attributed to each person. His dear friend Katie Anderson said “if he saw a problem, he addressed it; if he saw a person, he addressed them.” We can honor Dave by truly seeing one another, extending kindness and compassion, and growing in bravery and love. Dave would not want us to be sad, he would say “I’m in a better place.” Let us rather celebrate his life well-lived, and marvel at the beautiful tapestry of lives woven together by his life and legacy.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13