John Texas

Our beloved son, John “David" Perrigin, passed away at his home in Laredo, Texas on April 8, 2017. From that day forward the days will never seem as clear or the skies as blue. David's compassion, kindness, and generosity touched the lives of many. His calm nature and sense of humor were appreciated by all as was his talent for expressing his thoughts in the most succinct and unique manner. David's sense of fairness and belief of the equality of all individuals was reflected daily in both his personal and professional life. He believed that the law was about seeking fair and equal justice for all and worked toward that goal in his positions as an Assistant Public Defender and Assistant District Attorney.

David (Davey to his parents and childhood friends) was born at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas on March 31, 1975. His birth was the happiest day of his parent's lives and every minute of that day remains forever ingrained in their hearts. He grew up in the City of West University Place in central Houston, attended Annunciation Orthodox Greek Cathedral School, West University Elementary School, and John J. Pershing Middle School. David's academic achievements were many. He attended high school at the St. John’s School in Houston and graduated in May of 1993. He then attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he received his B.A. degree in accounting, closely followed by his Master of Taxation degree from Baylor University in Waco, TX. He returned to Houston and entered South Texas College of Law in 2001. During law school, David was offered the opportunity to study abroad for a year. His summer semester was split between the University of Malta in Valletta, Malta and Durham University in Durham, England. However, it was the two semesters in Leiden, The Netherlands that most influenced his future path as an attorney. He not only took classes at the University of Leiden but was also assigned to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, The Netherlands. Each day he would take the train from Leiden to The Hague where he was an assistant to Mr. Steven Kay, court appointed public defender for Slobodan Milosevic. David received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2005. After taking the Bar Exam and being licensed in November 2005, he applied for five jobs and was scheduled for interviews at each. However, after his first interview he wasted no time in cancelling the last four. The first interview was with the Webb County Public Defender and he was offered a position as assistant public defender. That job was his first choice and he immediately accepted it. He loved the friendliness of Laredo, the culture of the south Texas border, and the challenge of becoming fluent in Spanish.

David moved to Laredo in early 2006. During the following ten years, he lived in Laredo for eight years working approximately four as a Webb County Assistant Public Defender and four as a Webb County Assistant District Attorney and Chief of the Misdemeanor Court where he greatly enjoyed training the newly hired young attorneys. He was away from Laredo for approximately two years when he worked as a Dallas County Assistant Public Defender. He truly loved each of these jobs and all of the people with whom he worked.

David was introduced to travel, scuba diving, and the outdoor world of camping and fishing at an early age. He grew up spending most of his vacations camping with his parents and grandparents in Texas state parks and the national forests of Colorado. He was always a big fan of different ethnic foods and willing to try almost any dish put before him. He enjoyed reading and felt ink on paper was far superior to electronic reading. He especially loved spending a holiday relaxing on the Galveston deck with a Grisham novel. He always had a knack for identifying different species of fish, ducks, and birds and loved keeping track of every creature seen.

David loved all sports and began playing on the West University neighborhood soccer, basketball, and baseball teams at the age of 5. He was named all-star and tournament team member on four West University Little League tournament teams. Two of the teams went on to win the Texas State Little League championship titles in 1988 and 1990. He was a three year varsity letterman in both football and baseball at St. John's and was named all-conference and MVP for baseball his senior year. He continued to play baseball at Southwestern University and played every game as a member of the varsity team his freshman year. David greatly enjoyed his four years at Southwestern University and established many new friendships while there. He was an active member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and remained close with many of his fraternity brothers.

David is survived by his parents, David and Judy Perrigin, his Aunts Kathy, Joanne, Jeanne, and Jeannette and cousins. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents Homer Perrigin, Ann Perrigin Junkin, step-grandfather Raleigh Junkin and maternal grandparents John and Addie Bell Walker.

David was never happier than when he was with friends enjoying seafood at his apartment or hosting them at the family’s Galveston Island get away for a weekend of boating, fishing, and relaxation on the beach. In honor of this and his lifelong love of fishing, his remains will be scattered in one of his favorite areas of Galveston Bay.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a memorial gift may contribute to the charity of their choice, or to the newly established John David Perrigin College of Optometry Scholarship at the University of Houston designated for optometry students from the south Texas area (Contact [email protected] on how to contribute or call 713.743.1284), or the Galveston Bay Foundation, or the American Heart Association.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 22nd from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel, 1410 Jacaman Rd. A Memorial service and celebration of David's life will begin at 3:30 p.m. officiated by Pastor Paul Harris. David's parents invite friends who wish, to share their favorite memories during the service.

You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Road, Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.