DAVID B. PERSON
September 5, 1940 ~ January 28, 2021
David B. Person, born September 5, 1940, in Corpus Christi, TX, to Clinton Walker Person and Robert Lesley Person, passed away in San Antonio, TX January 28, 2021, following a brief illness. He is predeceased by his parents and the love, soul and spiritual partner of his life, Bobbie Ann Harper Person. He is survived by his children Susanna Woods Person Barton (David) of Jacksonville, FL and David Claiborne “Clay” Person (Ashley) of San Antonio, TX; and his grandchildren, Benjamin Biedenharn Barton, Marley Grant Barton, Clara Dianne Person and Ann Wood Person. He also is survived by his brothers, Jack Waldrip (Maryalice), Daniel C. Person (Beth Ann) and George J. Person (Pam); and his brother- and sister-in-law, Dr. Charles and Carolyn Harper, as well as numerous nieces and nephews around the world who adored their uncle and his knack for sharing family stories of Southern gothic proportion.
David and his brothers grew up in Goliad, TX with an appreciation for South Texas culture, history and family as well as classical piano study. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, where he and Bobbie Ann launched their life adventures together. David was the perennial nice guy with kind words for all, but he also was a man of many kinds of words, sounds and language – including fluencies in South Texas Spanish, French, legalese, classical flute, piano and Russian. David served our country as a Russian linguist with Naval Intelligence in the 1960s, a life chapter highlighted by a romantic stint in Monterrey, CA, where David and Bobbie Ann mastered their studies in Russian together and planned for their future. He was later stationed in Marykirk, Scotland, where he and Bobbie Ann made many lifelong friends. Upon their return to the U.S. to raise a family in San Antonio, David practiced insurance defense law in San Antonio for many decades, most notably as partner with Brock & Person. He achieved a master’s in law from St. Mary’s University and developed a highly regarded reputation rooted in integrity and professionalism. Following Bobbie Ann’s passing in 1992, David returned to Great Britain and worked toward a Ph.D. in law from London School of Economics. He spent the remaining years of his colorful life primarily based in Holly Springs, MS, where he enjoyed reconnecting with distant cousins and new friends, stirring community progress and renovating two period homes, including the second love of his life, Burton Place. He was passionately involved in many historical projects, racial reconciliation efforts and the promotion of “Behind the Big House,” a program aiming to put a bigger focus on the African- American experience in Holly Springs.
We will miss David’s rich and detailed stories of family lore and his talent for reciting Russian love poems to anyone needing a lift. The very definition of “lifetime learner,” David was an avid reader, traveler and critical thinker. He was adored by his friends, family and colleagues and leaves a legacy of kindness, affability and interest in others and new experiences. David is a perfect child of God, abiding in heavenly Love and enveloped in Christ’s embrace.
A small family memorial service honoring David’s life was held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3 at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church and livestreamed via the link within his obituary page at www.porterloring.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in David Person’s name to Preserve Marshall County & Holly Springs, Behind the Big House program at P.O. Box 787, Holly Springs, MS 38635 or via http://preservemarshallcounty.org. You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com
Porter Loring Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
paid obituary