David Coleman deShazo, of Mobile, Alabama, died peacefully with his family by his side on August 21, 2025, at the age of 75.
David was born on August 4, 1950, and grew up in Jackson, Alabama, where he loved the outdoors and playing with his three brothers, one of whom was his cherished identical twin. He fondly and frequently recalled being a child in small-town Alabama-hunting, fishing, and roaming the countryside.
David graduated from Jackson High School in 1968 and later from The University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in social work in 1978. He earned his master's degree in 1979 and began a life of outreach and service, working in the field of social work for various agencies in Mobile and Tuscaloosa for over 30 years. Social work was his calling; he carried his work experiences with him throughout his extraordinary life.
He was especially proud of his work in rural South Alabama in the early 2000s, where he traveled thousands of miles on back roads and through forgotten towns, educating and scouting resources for people living with HIV. His work was chronicled in the 2005 book The Secret Epidemic by Jacob Levenson. Most recently, he worked part-time for the Area Agency on Aging-SARPC Circle of Friends program-providing friendly phone calls and companionship to isolated seniors in the greater Mobile area. He often said those calls helped him as much as they helped his clients.
He was a lifelong, avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide football team and reveled in reminiscing about monumental wins and devastating losses during family football gatherings. He was also a lover of music. A self-taught guitarist, he had a passion for playing, songwriting, and collecting music. His family will treasure his many guitars and poetic, cheeky lyrics, unsurprisingly handwritten and kept in his prized spiral notebooks.
His life's mantra, "Doin' the best we can, one day at a time," was a comfort to him and his family. His daily goal: "Be a kind human." He felt immense gratitude for life's simple pleasures-an afternoon cup of coffee, a phone call from a buddy, a family dinner, or casting a fishing line on calm waters. His sense of humor, warm smile, welcoming demeanor, and caring nature helped him build a vast network of loyal friends from all walks of life, for which he was deeply grateful.
His proudest and greatest joy came from being "Pops" to his four grandchildren: Ella Grace Pearson and Elizabeth Greer Pearson of Mobile, Alabama-affectionately known to him as "G-n-G"- and Oliver Carr deShazo and Jonah Gilbert deShazo of Trussville, Alabama.
He is survived by his children, Kathryn deShazo Pearson (Brad) of Mobile, Alabama, and Daniel Carr deShazo (Lacey) of Trussville, Alabama; as well as a host of extended family, friends, and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William Floyd deShazo III and Martha Coleman deShazo; his older brother, Stephen Lee deShazo; his twin brother, John Godbold deShazo; and his younger brother, William "Bill" Floyd deShazo IV.
David and his family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Desiree Soter-Pearsall of Alabama Medical Group, and the nurses and staff at The Retreat-Saad's Hospice.
A private celebration of life-or as he lovingly referred to it, "a party on a beach somewhere"- will be held this fall. In remembrance of David, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Area Agency on Aging-SARPC, or to a musical charity or program of your choice.
Arrangements are by Ascension Funeral Home, 1016 Hillcrest Road, Mobile, Alabama 36695.