David H. Burrow

He was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on the 12th of September 1936. He graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1954 and received his BS, magna cum laude from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas in 1958. He received his LLB from The University of Texas School of Law in 1961, which was later changed to a JD by the University of Texas. He then received his LLM from Georgetown University in Washington DC in 1965. During his three years in Washington D.C., he was also a U.S. Army Judge Advocate General (JAG) at Fort Meade, Maryland.

David was a trial lawyer, trying to conclusion more than 250 jury trials. Growing up on a ranch in West Texas, he maintained his “inner cowboy” always wearing his cowboy boots and belt even in courtrooms across the State of Texas. He handled a broad array of cases from personal injury, aviation, Jones Act, products liability, railroad law, and numerous explosion cases involving plants such as Philips, Arco, Wyman Gordan, Monsanto, and British Petroleum. He has also been a leader in the field by holding several offices and chairmanships with the American Board of Trail Advocates (ABOTA), American College of Trial Lawyers, Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA), and State Bar of Texas. David was a trailblazer in many ways within his legal profession and participated in the first mock civil jury trial in Moscow before 75 Russian judges in 1992.

David was an avid outdoorsman always planning his adventure hunting, fishing, or skiing with family and friends. He loved spending time on the Texas coast, Utah, and Wyoming any time of the year enjoying the great outdoors. David was also very passionate about the University of Texas Longhorns. Anything and everything UT. He has maintained his football season tickets and when he could, watched other Longhorn athletic teams. In his later years, he was able to rekindle his cowboy roots at his ranch in Gonzales with his mule, Daisy Mae. Preserving the cowboy way of life through his beloved membership in Tejas Vaqueros and tending to his impressive herd of buffalo.

David was preceded in death by his father, David Hiram Burrow; his mother, Mary Sunshine Burrow Cook; and his stepfather, Henry Cook.

David is survived by his son, Brad Burrow of Houston; his daughter, Christy Burrow Smidt and husband Randy of New Braunfels; his son, Justin Burrow and wife Shelley of Houston; and his daughter, Laura Burrow Gorman and husband Brent of New Braunfels. He also leaves nine grandchildren, Meredith Burrow, Emma Burrow, Dan Smidt, Ben Smidt, Brayden Burrow, Hadley Burrow, Hutch Burrow, Alex Gorman, and Hunter Gorman.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Home Instead Victoria for their loving care and support over the last nine months.

A celebration in honor of the life of David H. Burrow is to be conducted at three o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 31st of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, 2914 Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204.