It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Dave “Rexie” Brittain passed away on January 11, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a life well lived. He will be profoundly missed by his wife of 57 years Carol Nan (Farrar) Brittain, his sons David D. Brittain, Jr., Eric M. Brittain (wife Tricia Ochoa Brittain) and his favorite daughter Karen Painter (husband Dr. Timothy J. Painter). He will be especially missed by his grandchildren David “Trey” Brittain, Michael Brittain, Zachary Brittain, Timothy “T.J.” Painter, Alexander Brittain, Thomas Painter, Meghan Brittain, Caroline Painter and Caleb Painter with whom he shared immense love and joy. Extended family who share our love and loss include Veronica Kahanek Brittain, David Painter and Doris Painter each of whom he dearly loved.
Dave and Carol were married on September 9, 1962 and have been inseparable ever since. Dave graduated from the University of Texas in 1964. He remained a life-long Longhorn and was a life member of the Texas Ex Students Association. He was an avid reader and loved books of all kind. He had a particular fondness for history, especially Texas history. He was involved in all things Texas including volunteering with the San Jacinto Monument and its refurbishment, the Texas Historical Society and was a Son of the Republic.
He was active in local community interests including water boards, HOA and MUD districts and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Dave’s faith was central to his and Carol’s life. He and Carol were both people of strong faith not only by attending Mass but by example. Dave cherished his membership in the Knights of Columbus.
He spent his professional career with Texas Commerce Bank which later became Chase Bank. But his true passion was in helping others. He gave generously of his time, talents and treasures.
This space does not allow us to do Dave justice in describing every charity and group that he worked with. These are but an example: the Texas Marathon for Non-Public Education; Habitat for Humanity, repairing homes for the disabled and disadvantaged; President of the Hope Center for Troubled Youth; a tutor and judge for math students at local schools; senior citizens groups including the Jewish Community Center; church men’s clubs, the Fort Bend Friends of the Library; the YMCA; the Indian Guides; the Boy Scouts of America; March of Dimes; the Houston Food Bank; PBS; and the Salvation Army where he filled in for Santa.
He smoked hundreds of briskets over the years and loved being around just about any kind of cooking. He loved to fish and crab and catch oysters. He loved catching the elusive “6 o’clock” to the Bolivar Peninsula from Galveston for fishing with his sons and buddies.
He also loved his garden, his lemon trees and the orange trees he proudly grew. He was also an esteemed cactus farmer and has over a hundred cactuses from all over the world. He loved watching the butterflies in his yard enjoying the native habitat flowers he grew for them.
He absolutely loved to travel and one of his favorite places was Hawaii. He explored all over the world including trips to London, Australia, New Zealand (where he saw the first sunrise of the 21st century), Italy, Germany, Scotland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, France, Austria, Switzerland, Russia and other places throughout Europe.
During his final weeks all of his family came home, and he was surrounded by his loving wife, his three children, their spouses, his 9 grandchildren and Mimi and Pop, who were always there for him. They all gathered to share their love for him and to feel his love for all of them, passing time talking, laughing, crying and remembering. Rexie knew they were all there to be with him and to share the abundant love that was his everlasting gift to his family. May he Rest in Peace!
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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