Dave's Personal Notes

... about myself

I was born and raised in Texas, with the exception of a short three year stint in Northwest Missouri.   My father was a United Methodist preacher ... I am a "Preacher's Kid"... yes, that is "PK".   As such, I have had the opportunity to live in many places because when the Bishop calls ... you move!   His phone worked quite well in those days and we moved some ten times between my birth and graduation from high school eighteen years later.

Born in Austin, Texas, I graduated from Wm. B. Travis high school in Austin as well.   My youth was spent largely outside, building virtually anything I could imagine or conceive.   To this day, my father cringes to think of the "paved highways" I built through the family garden for my toy cars & trucks ... motor oil, gravel and plenty of compacted sand!   High school was filled with band, church youth activities, drawing anytime I had a chance, and the responsibilities of owning and operating my own lawn mowing company so that I could obtain and maintain the dream of every American youth ... a vehicle.   In my case, that first Chevy truck!   After graduation, I attended Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, because once again the Bishop called and my family had moved.   While I had always planned to attend architecture school at the University of Texas in Austin, it became plainly evident as graduation neared that I should really be at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.   A decision I will never regret.   Upon graduation from Tech in 1989, I returned to Corpus Christi to work for the same firm until starting my own practice in the fall of 1997.

To date I am single, but not greatly concerned over this detail.   I have full faith that when the timing is right, and probably when I least expect it, I will find that special lady with whom I am to spend the rest of my life.   While being single and thirty something is viewed by some as negative, it has afforded me several opportunities to develop meaningful mentor friendships with youth and to work as an adult sponsor/leader for several church and community oriented youth organizations.   Not to mention purchase a house, a new truck and several other nice "toys".

... my family

I have one younger sister who is five years my junior.  Donna, her husband Rob and their two children Shelbi & Devin, live in Nevada where Rob is stationed in the U.S. Military.  I have enjoyed annual visits to their home, as well as seeing the sights of Nevada and the desert Southwest.  It is enjoyable to spend time with them and to be known simply as "Uncle" to the kids.  Shelbi loves first grade and Girl Scouts while Devin enjoys all the adventures of being a little boy and shares his Uncle's love of virtually anything to do with trains.

Shelbi, Uncle & Devin
Christmas 2003
F.U.M.C. Cuero during Construction
Photo: Robert W. Valenca

My father has retired from the active ministry and now works in the Legal profession in Chicago, Illinois.  I enjoy semi-annual trips to the "Windy City" where we can often be found out seeing the city sights or visiting the works of one of my personal favorite architects - Frank Lloyd Wright.

My mother is a bookkeeper/receptionist for an area machine shop and shares my home.   She enjoys being active in the church choir and United Methodist Women.   It has been both interesting and enjoyable having the opportunity to know my mother as an adult in addition to the usual role of "mom".

J. Adam Curtis lives in Irving, Texas with his wife Amanda.  While no relation, for eighteen months I had the priveledge of being Adam's legal guardian, enabling him to complete high school at Gregory-Portland after his father was transfered to North Carolina.  Our friendship has remained strong over the years and I recently had the honor of serving as Adam's Best Man at his wedding in Negril, Jamaica.  Adam and Amanda, are very much considered a part of my "family".

G-P Football Family Night                 Adam & Amanda's Wedding
Fall 1996                                                                     August 7, 2004

... my favorite things

Several of my "friends" have referred to me at times as a "Renaissance Man".   I don't know that I am entirely comfortable with that term, as I somehow envision armor clad knights riding horseback with drawn lances, but I do have varied artisitic interests and have been blessed with numerous talents, which indeed fits Mr. Webster's definition.   My hobbies include; music, art, construction, building plastic models, model railroading, photography, aquarium's, landscaping, as well as pistol & rifle target shooting.   I also enjoy working with various church and community groups such as Chrysalis, Walk to Emmaus, Sea City Work Camp, the Austin Steam Train Association and Texas Tech Ex-Students Association.

Although I live only blocks from the Gulf of Mexico & Corpus Christi Bay ... near heaven to many, I would much prefer to reside in the Texas Hill Country,the South Plains of Texas, or the mountains of Colorado.   However, my practice is thriving, so it can't be all bad ... just don't expect me to be excited about the weather here in July & August!

    The Junior Pruneda & Friends Show
    Performing with Texas Troubadours Don Mills & Jr. Pruneda
    Hunt General Store ~ Hunt, Texas ~ August 17, 2003

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