David Lee Obituary 2023
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David Lee Waters 1946 – 2023
David Lee Waters 1946 – 2023
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Let the memory of David be with us forever.
- 77 years old
- Born on February 23, 1946 in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
- Passed away on March 6, 2023 in Victoria, Texas, United States
The Obituary of David Lee Waters âHLGPâ
February 23, 1946 â March 6, 2023
David Lee Waters entered his eternal life with our Lord and Savior peacefully at home on Monday, March 6th at the age of 77 years. David was born in Corpus Christi, TX on February 23, 1946 to parents, Nathan H. Waters and Inez V. Barker Waters.
David was a loving son, brother, dad, papaw and great papaw. He was a talented and one of a kind musician. The love his fans have shown him over the years has been overwhelming. He was the most genuine and kind man you would have ever met. His family was the joy of his life and even more so his great grands. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Preceded in death by his parents, Nate & Inez Waters; his siblings: Thelma Davis, Nathan Waters Jr, Judy Wallace and brother-in-law Jimmy Wallace; and the love of his life, Janet Lee Brown Waters.
Survived by his son, Wayne Waters of Victoria, TX, daughter, Rhonda & Jim Harrell of Freeport, Bahamas, son, Jamie & Ashten Linney of Victoria, TX. Grandchildren, Dustin (Emily) Wise. Bj (Bobbie) Waters, Lacey (Kane) Gardner, Rikki (Kyle) Moreland, Mason Linney, Nixon Linney, and Cody Waters. Great-Grandchildren, Chloe Gardner, Kason Moreland, Joey Gardner, and Talmage Wise. Brother-in-law, Gerald Davis. Nieces, Kimberly West, Deena (Chris) Castellano, and Kristi (Roy) Waldrop. Nephews, Jerry (Brunella) Davis and Tommy (Debbie) Davis.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 10th 6-8 PM. We will begin at 6 PM. A visiting hour with light food and refreshments will follow.
Those wishing to send flowers or sentiments please have them delivered to the church after 12pm on Friday.
If you feel called to make a donation in his name they can be made to:
Branded Cowboy Church
American Heart Associatio
Pancreatic Cancer Research
Branded Cowboy Church @ Son Valley Ranch
8793 US Hwy 87
Victoria, TX 77904
Tributes
David, you taught me so much music super fast (3 days to be exact) when I was asked to be the keys player for Faith Family Church. your direction, friendship and love was so sweet. I will miss you my friend. I love you and will one day see you in heaven!
What a gentleman. Sorry for your family’s loss. Can see very clearly, he will be missed by many friends. We are next door neighbors at GateWay RV since Nov ’22.
David enlightened me as to the history of a DoBro guitar that my Father had. Saw and talked with him from time to time at the RV park. Sorry we never heard him perform.
Paul and Paulette Schwengel
David was such a genuine person, always glad to see you. always with a smile and time to speak. We thoroughly enjoyed his music abilities, but, most importantly him as a human being. Our sincere condolences to the entire Waters family.
Butch and Paula Jungmann
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Recent Tributes
David, you taught me so much music super fast (3 days to be exact) when I was asked to be the keys player for Faith Family Church. your direction, friendship and love was so sweet. I will miss you my friend. I love you and will one day see you in heaven!
What a gentleman. Sorry for your family’s loss. Can see very clearly, he will be missed by many friends. We are next door neighbors at GateWay RV since Nov ’22.
David enlightened me as to the history of a DoBro guitar that my Father had. Saw and talked with him from time to time at the RV park. Sorry we never heard him perform.
Paul and Paulette Schwengel
David was such a genuine person, always glad to see you. always with a smile and time to speak. We thoroughly enjoyed his music abilities, but, most importantly him as a human being. Our sincere condolences to the entire Waters family.
Butch and Paula Jungmann
The Ol Fiddler & Dave Waters
David’s life in his own words
Now a letter of Davidâs life written by himself:
I began playing guitar at the age of 13 by strumming and pickinâ an old Martin D28 that usually was leaning in the corner behind the piano in church. I discovered Chet Atkins shortly after and was playing within 6 months several of his songs just like him. Well almost.
My first real job making money with the guitar was teaching guitar/music for Charlie Cash Music Studios located in H&H Music Stores in Houston, TX while also working as a staff guitarist for a recording studio just off 18th street in The Heights. I did about 150 ârecord albumsâ with 10-12 songs each. My guitar then was a Gibson 335 with a Fender Deluxe amp and an Ampeg guitar amp.
From there I moved on to McDuff Music Store in Pasadena, TX then on to the American Music Store in Odessa, TX where I was purchasing manager for the four stores we owned. Part of my responsibilities was the string department manager for the main store. As a guitarist, I continued to play music with a lot of small country and top 40 bands even in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I loved big band music and West Coast country while never leaving my roots of Nashville country.
In 1978, I found the real love of my life, Janet, and asked her to marry me. Then the same week I received a call from a big time gospel music band that was travelling the world in a Leer jet three weeks out of the month playing country gospel music.
The opportunity of a lifetime for a kid from Refugio. However, after discussion with Janet, thoughts and prayers⌠I turned down the job. I couldnât see blending two families together with being gone most of the time.
I spent the next 25+ years playing with some great local bands in Refugio and Victoria, Tx. Even owning and teaching at my own studios. I got to play big band jazz and even direct a group of 10-15 musicians at a local church for 8 years. The church had a Sunday morning attendance of over 2,000 people. A lot of west coast jazz influenced gospel. Meanwhile, I also played in a 50s music band that played a lot of Tejano music. Little did I know that my exposure to so many styles of music then would set me up for playing Bob Wills music too.
One night while working in the band at a local Opry show in Refugio, TX I met Billy Mata. One year later we both were working a show in Edna, TX. Me as a staff guitarist and band leader with Billy as guest singer. At break time Billy came over to shake hands and he said my guitarist is leaving the band. Iâve already asked your wife and she said âyes, of course! But it would be up to you to be on board with Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition.â
After countless gigs, miles around the world, several special honors, awards, halls of fame and 15 years, I retired from Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition in December 2021 due to health reasons. I got to play Bob Wills music, even with several original members of his band, so many great musicians, Sinatra and Nat King Cole songs with Billy, real country with Billy, a lot of Western Swing, record several albums with Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition, play jazz festivals in Canada and on the West coast, play guitar for thousands and thousands of great fans but none of this would have been possible without the support of two major influences in my life. My God and the love of my life Janet Lee Brown Waters whose life was taken by cancer in 2020.
Iâm not through as guitar picker yet. I continue to play with April Hall Trio, an opry show, Victoria Steel Club, Branded Cowboy Church Band and almost every jam session, especially country music, I am invited to every month.
