David LeBlanc Obituary
Who was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son and brother, died May 23, 2022, in Fairhope, AL. David was proud of his Cajun heritage, having been born Jan. 25, 1955, in New Orleans, LA, to Edward Ronald LeBlanc and Barbara Ann (Martin) LeBlanc.
The eldest of six children, David, grew up in Louisiana, Texas and California. He went on to serve in the US Navy from 1974-1983, earning his place as a member of the renowned SEAL Team 2.
Following his military service, David owned a windsurfing shop in Sarasota, FL, then relocated to Virginia where he helped establish and served as executive director of the Marine Institute Education Service in Newport News, VA. His work centered around helping teenaged boys caught in the justice system turn their lives around through involvement in water sports. Scores of young men benefitted from David's mentorship and investment in their lives.
It was in Virginia where David met his dear Diane Wilkie, and the two discovered a shared love of nature, adventure and entrepreneurship. They married Nov. 1, 2013 in Key West, FL. Together they established and ran several successful businesses, including LeBlanc Custom Canvas, Pelican's Snoballs in Newport News, VA, and in Foley and Fairhope, AL., and they recently became beekeepers, producing honey through D&D's Bees in Fairhope.
Gifted with seemingly endless energy, David loved a wide range of sports, especially those involving the water: fishing, boating, windsurfing, kayaking, and SCUBA diving. Once Diane and David relocated to Fairhope, AL, in 2017, it was common to find David happily fishing off the Fairhope pier or with Diane, savoring a sunset over Mobile Bay.
David was a man of strong faith in Christ, he studied, prayed and served with gusto. A member of Fairhope Community Church, David delighted in serving each week with the Awanas Children's Ministry.
Relationships with his own three children were precious to him, and he was very blessed by daughter Talitha (LeBlanc) Beebe of Knoxville, TN, and sons, Nathan Ronald LeBlanc of West Palm Beach, FL, and Blake Joseph Schneider of Torrance, CA.
David was preceded in death by his father, his brother Stephen Claude LeBlanc of Sarasota, FL, and his sister Nancy Ann LeBlanc of Hurst, TX. He is survived by his beloved wife Diane, his children, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He also is survived by his mother, and his sisters Laura LeBlanc of Dickinson, TX, Dianne LeBlanc of Oklahoma City, OK, and Yvonne (LeBlanc). Maloan with husband Michael Maloan of Norman, OK.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, May 28, 2022, at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, 19698 Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, with the funeral at 11:00am, followed by burial at Memory Gardens of Fairhope. Immediately afterward, friends and family will gather for a reception at Fairhope Community Church, 329 S. Greeno Rd., Fairhope, AL.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Fairhope Community Church.
