David G. Miclette

David Gregory Miclette, aka “The Commodore,” “Il Magnifico,” and of course his favorite “Shook, Shooky,” (or even “Shookalicious” as all of his grandchildren lovingly called him), passed away in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his family, on Thursday, the 21st of December 2023, following a year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer. He was 76 years of age.

David was born in Providence, Rhode Island and lived in Woonsocket, Rhode Island where he had the distinguished honor of being named “Baby Beautiful.” At the age of 10, his parents sold everything they owned and moved him and his sisters to Corpus Christi to start an air conditioning business. This is where his life-long love of sailing began. Through racing sailboats, he met many of the mentors who shaped the trajectory of his life and career.

His claim to fame was his relationship with Farrah Fawcett during their brief courtship in junior high, where she proudly wore his cleats. Perhaps, had she seen his Alfa Romeo a couple of years later, their connection might have endured. He attended W.B. Ray High School demonstrating a particular talent for the pursuit of a good time and driving the open road between Corpus and St. Mary’s Hall.

He studied Finance at the University of Texas in Austin, where he met his “first wife” on a blind date as a favor to a SAE fraternity brother, a story he loved to re-tell with exaggerated details, just like all of his stories. David and Susan married in April of 1971 and moved to New York City, where he began his career in the surety bond business with Chubb. Over the next five years they lived in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and then back to Houston after the birth of his first and favorite child in 1976, followed by the birth of Susan’s favorite child in 1979.

In 1980, with his business partners Sam Bowen and Mike Descant, they founded their own insurance agency, and in 1992, they merged with Ed Britt’s insurance agency and became Bowen, Miclette & Britt, which today is one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the country. He was extremely respected by everyone in the surety industry and his genuine interest in his clients' success turned many of them into lifelong friendships. “Ask about our kickbacks,” he would always say.

David loved re-telling stories and jokes, and listening to his countless playlists. He was boastful about being in Spotify’s top 1% of users and he was never without music wherever he went. Whether around a South Texas TV having a wee dram of the low-flying bird, working his bird dogs on a quail hunt, dancing the chicken foot with Papa Joe, drinking Pina Coladas on a sailboat, heckling his buds on a golf course, cheering on his beloved Longhorns, or fly fishing in a trout stream, David always enjoyed living life to the fullest. He and Susan were grateful to enjoy special golfing trips with “The Band,” bareboat trips throughout the Caribbean with family and friends, and a whole host of other unbelievable excursions.

He enjoyed spending time and the relationships made playing golf with friends and family at Houston Country Club, Sand Hills Golf Club, the Club at Crested Butte, and fishing at Cebolla River Ranches, which he fondly referred to as his “office” in the latter years of his life.

He served on many advisory boards for insurance and construction companies, banks, and at First Presbyterian Church. He volunteered at WorkFaith, training applicants how to interview, he was also a mentor at the Jericho House which helps men transition from addiction to a life of recovery through the teachings of Christ. David’s faith grew deeper while studying the Bible in his Thursday small group which was a priority in his life. It was that faith that sustained him in his battle with cancer.

His greatest joy was time spent with family, whether in Crested Butte, on special trips all over the world, or simply sharing Jose's dip at Molinas on Sunday nights. David was larger than life, his legacy, wit, and sense of adventure will surely live on through his family. Per his request, he was cremated with his beloved iPhone, his favorite speaker, and his Yeti cup. As David would have said, “It’s been a slice of Heaven.” It sure has been, and it’s fitting that is where he is now.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Normand Miclette; father-in-law, Shackelford “Bill” Reeder; and brother-in-law William Shackelford “Shack” Reeder. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 52 glorious years, Susan Reeder Miclette; daughter, Lacy Miclette Price and her husband Philip; son, Toby Miclette and his wife Rachael. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Madison Elizabeth Price, Peyton Miclette Price, Hunter Holden Miclette, Ford Taliaferro Miclette, and Layne Christen Miclette; his sisters, Nancy Miclette-Toelle, and Chrissy Miclette-Cowan and her husband Travis; his mother-in-law, Sally Erwin Reeder; as well as many other extended family who all knew and loved him.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Methodist Hospital, especially Dr. Ronald Bryant, Dr. Jarded Lee and Dr. Kirk Heyne, as well as Houston Hospice. Also, close family friends Dr. James Muntz, Dr. Eugene Alford and Dr. Drew Kumpuris for their treasured council.

A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 16th of January, at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street in Houston (For those unable to attend, virtual attendance may be obtained by selecting the “Join Livestream” icon in the “Services” section below.)

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the nearby Fellowship Hall.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during the service are Sam Bowen, Ed Britt, Nathan Cowan, Travis Cowan, Charlie Gale, Tim Herbert, Drew Kumpuris, Mike Lacy, Will Majors, Ricky Mayfield, Larry Peterson, Steve Plumb, George Pontikes, Chuck Stuber, Charles Tate, Dan Williams, James Woldert, and Greg Wood.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in David’s memory be directed to WorkFaith, Open Door, to First Presbyterian Church by selecting their respective icons below under “Donations,” or you may donate to your charity of choice.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with his family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon below.