05/26/2026
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
David Allen Flessner
A Celebration of Life service for David Allen Flessner will be held on Thursday, May 28th at 1:00 p.m at Brenham Bible Church. Doors will open at 12:00 p.m. for guests to gather prior to the service. Family and friends are warmly invited to join in honoring David's life, faith, and legacy.
LiveStream Links:
Subsplash:
https://brenhambiblechurch.subspla.sh/nhnpknn
Youtube Channel
https://youtube.com/?si=eCmcjSm4jYjuKj6H
Obituary
David Allen Flessner was born 9/2/1954 to Allen and Joanne Flessner of Texas City, Texas. He was a rambunctious little boy who loved animals, going to his grandparent’s farm in Moulton, playing sandlot football with his friends, and building and drawing from an early age. He was the apple of his mama’s eye.
On one memorable occasion he went missing for a day when he was about 14 years old. When he finally arrived home, he reported that he had just ridden his bike across the train bridge (parallel to the causeway) to Galveston and back.
He grew into a fun-loving and well-loved teenager. He fell in love with football, which he lettered in, and one year was the Team Sweetheart. “Oh, thank heaven for number 77” became an affectionate saying. He had many good stories from high school, from loves won and lost, to football glories and practical jokes. He maintained many of these high school friendships through the years, even up to this day.
David loved to eat. You could always count on him to come, eat, and go back for thirds. But Thanksgiving was his favorite meal of the year. He loved it so much, that he requested it be made for his “last supper” at home before heading off to college. So, on a hot summer’s day in August, his mama came home and prepared a full Thanksgiving Day meal for her son, before sending him off into the world. (She often recounted this story with great fondness.)
He followed his love of football to Kilgore where he played 2 years as a defensive tackle. When his time at Kilgore ended, he worked for Brown and Root as a draftsman for a year, then decided to go back and finish his degree. He transferred to Texas A&M (Whoop!) where he tried out for the football team but was not deemed big enough to make the cut. Instead, he wrestled for the A&M intramural team and won the title for heavy weight champion. In 1979 he graduated with his degree in Construction Science. His deep love of Aggie football and Aggie tradition never diminished.
For the next several years he worked for H.B. Zachary Construction. His love of building grew. He would later recount that he loved every job he ever had, whether building roads, cabins, car washes or gas stations. At one time he owned his own construction company. He worked for several companies in between. Eventually he retired from the Texas Department of Transportation.
David was known as a gifted artist from a young age. He received his first award for painting in 5th grade, winning Best in Show in Texas City. He was most comfortable using oil paints, but even as an adult took classes in watercolor and other mediums. He showed his art in numerous exhibitions as an adult. Most recently, he painted a beautiful oil of his daughter, Rachel, in her prime as a gymnast.
At age 30 David met and married his first wife. Although this marriage would not endure, they had two amazing children together, their son and daughter, David II and Rachel. David II recalls many special moments with his father, including afternoons spent playing Nintendo 64’s Pilot Wings when he was about 9 years old. He also remembers his father’s steadfast support throughout is youth baseball years. Between the ages of 6 and 11, David made extraordinary efforts to attend his games whenever possible, determined to be present in his son’s life despite the challenges he sometimes faced.
In 2000, he married Claire, whose companionship and presence were an important part of his life. They began their early years together in Katy, Texas, close to their children, until they all graduated from high school. Afterwards, they moved to Somerville, Texas, where they were able to live in the country and enjoy the great outdoors with their beloved dogs.
David was a fierce protector of his family. He was loyal to a fault. He was known for his resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit. He was a teller of tall-tales. He loved to tell jokes, and if you laughed, you would get to hear the punchline a multitude of times. He was a friend to many, and cared for those society did not. He was a genuine, authentically kind-hearted soul that loved the simplicities of life. On any given day you may have found him on a tractor, nailing together lumber building a cabin, taking a break in his pool, or playing the role of handy-man. He was so proud of the “party-house” and small cabins he built with his own two hands on his property, completed just 1-1/2 years ago. The family was able to celebrate his 70th birthday there, as well as this past Thanksgiving. These are now cherished moments.
But he was most proud of his grandchildren, Joe (3 years), and Anna (18 months). As often as possible he visited, to read books, make his famous “David” breakfast, and get as many hugs as he could. In the past year, Grandpa had begun instilling the importance of being able to build, and Joe had developed a love of trains, just like his grandpa.
He cheated death on a number of occasions. In 1969 he drowned in a friend’s backyard pool around the age of 14. Initially everyone thought it was a prank when they saw him lying at the bottom of the deep-end, but it quickly became evident this was not his usual good-hearted fun. He was pulled out by his buddies and the mother of the home, revived him.
In 2011 David was involved in a serious car accident. Thrown from the vehicle and lying on the road he found himself broken physically and spiritually, and cried out to God to save him. He truly submitted his life that day to Jesus. He faced a long recovery and several surgeries, and went on to become a member of Brenham Bible Church, attending men’s weekly bible study. He spoke at any opportunity of the Lord’s forgiveness, grace, and goodness to him. There is video of his testimony that is now a precious treasure.
The Lord called him home, finally, on April 18th, 2026, following a swift battle with cancer. Although David was heart-broken to know he would not watch his grandchildren grow, he was ready to meet Jesus and knew that ultimately this was what life was about.
David is preceded in death by his father and mother, Allen and Joanne Flessner, and his sister, Deborah Adams McCahon. He is survived by his wife, Claire Flessner; his son, David II; daughter, Rachel Waters, son-in-law Sam Waters, and their children Joseph Allen, Anna Louise, and Baby Girl #2 on-the-way; step-children, Blayne and Elyse; sister, Lisa Caldwell and brother-in-law, Scott Caldwell; niece, Abigail Saldua and her family; and nephews, Chad Adams and Andrew Caldwell and their families.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the many prayers and calls extended during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:
Brenham Pregnancy Center
1016 Blue Bell Rd.
Brenham, TX 77833
