David Earle Leyerle
1940 - 2024
HOUSTON—On Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the age of 83, David Earle
Leyerle went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
David was born on December 7, 1940, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Julius
Francis Leyerle and Jane Belle Saffer. David graduated from du Pont
Manual High School in Louisville. David received his undergraduate
degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, where he played collegiate
basketball, and earned a master's degree from Indiana University. David
married Sharon Kay Higdon in 1963. They had one child, Melanie Renee,
born in 1964. During their marriage and working years, the Leyerle's lived
in Louisville, Kentucky; Decatur, Georgia; and Abilene, Texas. They moved
to Houston fifteen years ago to be close to Melanie and her family.
David passionately loved the Lord Jesus Christ. David also loved his
family, his many friends, complete strangers, and all of God's children.
David and Sharon were married 56 years; Sharon was David's best friend
and partner in a life of ministry. David began his career in Louisville,
teaching and coaching basketball and golf at Waggener High School. He
soon found that his true calling was to enter the ministry and spread the
Gospel. David began his service in recreations ministry at Walnut Street
Baptist Church in Louisville. He continued that ministry at Briar Lake Baptist
Church in Decatur before returning to Walnut Street Baptist Church. He
later moved to Abilene to become a part of First Baptist Church's initiative
to build a recreations center for community outreach. Among other
initiatives, David was actively involved in overseeing First Baptist's Big A
Club (which ministers to adolescents), outreach to the international
community (who found a safe harbor at David and Sharon's home), the
creation of an apartment ministry (to reach those outside a traditional
church setting), the founding of a chess club for the homeless, and,
probably most importantly, the creation of City Light Community Ministries
(which provides food, clothing, and basic needs and job training to those
most vulnerable). David served the Lord by serving those most in need.
When David and Sharon moved to Houston, they joined South Main Baptist
Church, where they were members of the Power and Light Sunday School
Class. David also started the Manna Chess Club for outreach to the
homeless. After the passing of his wife in 2020, David resided at the Forum

at Memorial Woods. In assisted living, David continued to pass out Bibles,
organize fellowship events, and share his faith with everyone who would
listen.
David loved Sharon. David and Sharon showered their only child with love
and gave her every advantage they could afford, demonstrating a love for
the Lord, cultivating a love of music, and providing access to wonderful
education. David and Sharon enjoyed fellowship at the church, music,
traveling, and entertaining. David enjoyed playing and watching sports,
playing cards and games, following the news, and going to thrift stores to
get the best bargain. David was curious and loved to have fun, laugh, tell
jokes, and play pranks.
David ("Pops") loved Griffin's daughter, Sarah ("Sissy"), as his own and his
grandchildren, Ellie ("Big Time") and Tom ("Buddy Roll") Vincent. He
entertained them during frequent visits in Abilene and Houston, hosted
"Bubba parties" for them, took them shopping, took them to every
restaurant in Houston, bought chicks and a poodle for them, took them to
Rockets' games, traveled to Fredericksburg, Fort Worth, Mackinac Island,
and Italy with them, took them to the zoo, drove them to practice for sports,
cheered for them at their swim meets and baseball games, played every
board, domino, and card game known to man with them, and constantly
engaged them in foolish tricks. He was a wonderful grandfather.
David was preceded in death by his parents (Julius and Jane Leyerle), his
sister (Martha Jane Myers), and his wife (Sharon Leyerle). He is survived
by his daughter (Melanie Vincent) and son-in-law (Griffin Vincent) and
grandchildren (Ellie Vincent, Tom Vincent, and Sarah Moore).
A memorial service is planned for April 5, 2024, at South Main Baptist
Church (the chapel) at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the Welcome
Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Main Baptist
Church (Power & Light SSC in the memo line), 4100 Main St., Houston,
Texas 77002, to honor David's love for serving those in the inner-city and/or
First Baptist Church (City Light Community Ministries in the memo line),
1333 N. 3rd, Abilene, Texas 79601, to honor David's legacy of service in
Abilene.