David Wilson Hibbert

David Wilson Hibbert was a true renaissance man; a scholar, an athlete, a musician, a horticulturalist, a collector, a rascal, and a generous gentleman. A Buckhead Boy from the start, he was born November 21, 1950, at Emory Hospital to George and Dorothy Hibbert, and grew up in Atlanta along with his siblings Carl, Tom, George, Jonny, Henry, and Dorothy. David graduated from Mercer University in 1972 as the class president with a degree in philosophy and then went on to earn his law degree from Emory Law School in 1975. Around that time, he met the love of his life, and subsequently wife, Fran, when her sister asked David if Fran could help them dig ferns for a local plant store called Nature’s Way. David said yes, and it was love at first sight. After digging countless ferns, David had not had quite enough so he asked Fran if she would like to play tennis, and Fran said yes. After digging ferns and playing tennis the two newly hatched love birds sat on some swings talking until David asked Fran if she would like to have dinner, she said yes, but instead of getting Dairy Queen (as David suggested) she insisted she could make dinner at her place, and he said yes. They kept saying yes straight to the alter and were married on June 21,1975. Over 50 years of yes followed for this perfect-for-each-other couple. The same year that David graduated from law school, and married his ladylove, he began practicing law in Atlanta. From 1975 to 2025 he practiced general law with a focus on personal injury, auto accidents, wills, and estate planning, and was awarded, by the State Bar of Georgia, for fifty years of service. He was a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association as well as the Atlanta Lawyers Club. Thanks to his endlessly generous nature, David made himself available to serve indigent clients whenever he was needed, as well as serving his community as the long-time Chairman of the Lilburn Zoning and Appeals Board. Beyond work, David was endlessly active and actively curious about almost everything under the sun, picking up countless friends along the way. He was an accomplished musician who played the guitar, trombone, and mandolin. Though his taste in music was far reaching, he was particularly fond of singer/songwriters of the country and folk persuasion. Particular favorites included Doc Watkins, David Grisman, Jerry Je] Walker, and Townes Van Zandt.

A perennial athlete, David was always ready to move, starting in his youth when he taught sailing at YMCA Camp Seagull for three summers. And like any good sailor, he never wanted to be tied down to just one pursuit. There were just too many sports to play and too many friends to play with, regardless of species. So, in 1999, he and Taj Mahal won Best Small Dog at the Georgia State Disc Dog Championship in Cartersville, GA. Twice he won the Lawyers Club of Atlanta Tennis Tournament at the Druid Hills Golf Club in 2010 and 2012. Once he even won a senior roller blading competition in Piedmont Park. While David was always ready to go, his interests extended beyond just competing himself; he was also a long-time coach and chaperone for the Georgia State Special Olympics coaching softball, bowling, and floor hockey all over the state. With all that boundless energy it’s hard to believe that David could be still or mediative in any significant way, but he always was a surprising man. He was fond of sudoku, New York Times crossword puzzles, and even yoga. When he still wanted embrace nature while slowing down, he would go fly-fishing, even tying his own flies. That patience also led him to earn a ham radio operator license and join the Southeastern DX Club with the handle ‘KC4TJ’. The ultimate show of his patience was shown through his long-time pursuit of bonsai and membership in the Atlanta Bonsai Society. The trees he lovingly tended for years, and even decades, are a living monument to his caring nature and sense of commitment. David never did anything by half. His prize trees were like members of the family, along with his other unique plants, such as 100-year-old night blooming cactus he inherited from his grandmother, and is still thriving, or his South African succulents he acquired in the late 70s. And what peaceful garden, especially one full of bonsai, is complete without a koi pond? Fortunately, David dug his own pond over twenty years ago that is still full of his koi, including Queso, a special fish with a spot in the middle of his forehead. After a lifetime of adventure and curiosity, David passed away at home on August 7, 2026, with his beloved wife, Mary Frances Hibbert, by his side. He is survived by his brothers Carl (Susan) Hibbert, Tom (Laurie) Hibbert, Jonny Hibbert, Henry (Peggy) Hibbert, and his sister Dorothy (Ken) Krakow. On his wife’s side, he is survived by his brothers-in-law Joe Disco, Tommy (Francie) Disco, Kathy Harvey (Mort Meadors), Liz Disco (Ted Essex), Barbara (Diego) Chacon, and a host of treasured nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great nephews on both sides. At the end of the day, David was a kind, generous, mischievous, curious gentleman who led with a smile that let you know you were already good friends. He loved driving his 1983 red Mercedes Benz convertible and eating brownies with vanilla ice cream. He was a longstanding member of the Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and shining example of a true Christian. He adored his wife, Fran, as well as his friends and family. David was the kind of person we all hope to be when we grow up, even though, as a grown-up, he was often scolded by the lifeguards at the neighborhood pool for doing summersaults and hand-stand dives into the water to the delight of all the kids. Doc Watson once said “…I’d like to leave quite a few friends behind and I hope I will. Other than that, I don’t want nobody putting me on a pedestal when I leave here.” However, it doesn’t seem untoward to acknowledge that David truly was one of the best of us, and all of us who were lucky enough to have known him at all are better people for it. 73 ex Gud DX, David.

A funeral will be held September 3, 2026, at 11AM at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. 2715 Peachtree Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30305. Celebration Toasting at the residence.