David Reginald Waddell

Husband. Father. Ironworker. Cowboy. Businessman. Friend. Mentor. Rancher. Stock Contractor. David Reginald Waddell entered eternal rest on February 27, 2023, at the age of 74.

David was born in his grandmother’s house May 23, 1948, in Natalia, TX and he was primarily raised in the city of Devine, Medina County. He was the second of five children born to JR and Johnnie Bell Waddell.

After graduating Devine High School, class of 1966, he attended Southwest Texas State University, majoring in accounting. To fund his education, he worked with his father and brother as an ironworker. Returning to school, he completed his degree and went to work for Chuck Parr’s accounting firm.

In 1971, he married his wife of 52 years, Virginia Ann Pawlik in San Antonio. They had two children, Travis Cade, and Elizabeth Anne. In 1974, David moved to Padgett Stratemann as a Certified Public Accountant. Over his career, he specialized in construction companies and closely held firms. On November 1, 1982, he became a partner at Padgett Stratemann, a role he would hold until his retirement on July 31, 2010. He remained connected to the San Antonio business community as a member of the San Antonio Executives Association, with whom he hunted, fished, and played poker.

As part of his retirement plan, he turned back to his roots, acquiring ranches in Medina County, where he, along with his children, ran a cow-calf operation for several years. Additionally, David became an active stock contractor, purchasing his first bucking bull, 444 Big Joe in 2012. Over the years he saw success in the arena, including sending bulls to the Professional Bull Riders World Finals and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

David is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ginny), his son Travis and his wife Jina Waddell and his daughter Elizabeth (Liz) Waddell. He is also survived by his sisters Pamela (Ron) Patteson, Nancy Frost and Judy Loscano as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  David was preceded in death by his parents, JR and Johnnie Bell Waddell and his brother Joseph Ronald Waddell. 

Interment will be a private event on March 25^th at Evergreen Cemetery, where he will rest with his parents and brother. A public celebration of life will be held at Sandy Oaks Ranch in Devine on April 8, 2023, at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Outdoor Association for True Heroes (www.oathinc.org) or the Western Sports Foundation (www.westernsportsfoundation.org.) .