David Lee LaBrake, age 87, beloved husband of the late Donelda LaBrake, passed away at
home on Thursday, October 28th 2021. Both David and Donelda had resided in Phoenixville PA
for over 60 years.
Born on February 18th, 1934 in Syracuse New York, David was the son of Evelyn (Andrews)
and Leonard LaBrake. David, being one of the eldest sons in the family, worked at many
different jobs from a very young age to help his father to materially support his large family of
eight children. Upon graduation from high school, David was drafted into the military and
served two years in the United States Army. He then attended Rochester Institute of
Technology where he studied printing, worked full time, and completed his Bachelors Degree in
three years, all the while pursuing and then courting his wife-to-be, Donelda. David never
shrank back from a challenge or hard work. He and his life long love Donelda married the
week following their college graduation in 1958.
David and Donelda remained married for nearly 63 years up until her sudden illness and death
earlier this spring. David was a loving, generous man of integrity and a faithful husband, father
grandfather, and friend. He came to know the Lord when living in Alden New York when his
children were all very young and he had an enduring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ from that
time forward. He was active with The Gideons Ministry, preached as a young man and
faithfully attended Cornerstone Church of Skippack until his illness precluded church
attendance. He loved God's Word.
The love and care of his wife, children and grandchildren were priorities in David's life. Through
his loving support, his wife Donelda was able to stay at home with their three children and later
on to pursue many artistic endeavors; he was at all times her greatest supporter and
encourager.
David used his knowledge of printing to oversee the production of packaging with Case Hoyt
Packaging, and then Container Corporation of America. He later sold primarily cosmetic
packaging in New York City, again working for Case Hoyt Packaging. He and Donelda were
able to join together on many projects for companies such as Avon Products, Liz Claiborne,
and Cointreau Liquor; David designed the packaging and Donelda executed the fine artwork.
David was a life-long learner, attending night classes while working in New York City to become
a paralegal, an ombudsman, and a financial planner. He was an avid reader of news, history,
biography and theology.
David's avocation was the game of golf. He loved the sport and became highly skilled at it,
playing whenever and wherever he could. He loved to mentor others at the sport he so
enjoyed, and he played it avidly until, sadly, his failing health prevented him from golfing.
David is survived by his three children: Delmalyn (Norman) Vaughn of Cheltenham PA, Derron
(Susan) LaBrake of Havertown PA, and Dwayne (Cynthia) LaBrake of Cedar Park TX; eight
grandchildren: Peter Vaughn, Naomi (Matthew) Dassow, Kathryn LaBrake, Aileen LaBrake,
Fiona LaBrake, Carder (Conley) LaBrake, Cole LaBrake, and Christian LaBrake; great grand
daughter Vera LaBrake (daughter of Carder and Conley LaBrake); siblings: Sidney LaBrake of
Virginia, William LaBrake of Arizona and Philip LaBrake of New York and numerous nieces and
nephews. In addition to his dear wife and parents, David was preceded in death by brothers,
Dick, Jeffrey and sisters Evelyn and Emily.
A private entombment service will be held at Limerick Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made in David's name to Charity International Ministries (CIM),
P.O. Box 307, Cheltenham, PA 19012. CIM is a Haitian Orphanage that David has assisted and
supported for many years. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach
Funeral Home Inc., in Phoenixville PA. Condolences may be offered online at
www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.