Mr. Colby was born in Brookings, SD on October 29, 1932 to Edna and Alfred Colby. He was educated at Brookings public schools and graduated from Brookings High School in May 1950. David enlisted in the US Air Force in December of 1950 where he served for four years; he was honorably discharged in 1954. He then attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 1957. David was married to the sister of former barracks mate Ben Lempa, Miss Rose Lempa, on February 11, 1956. He immediately joined the JC Penney Company in downtown San Antonio in September 1957, starting out as an entry-level manager at a salary of considerably less than one dollar an hour. David spent his entire career at the JC Penney Company serving over 35 years. The first fourteen years were assignments to lower-level management positions in four locations in the southeast and southwest. He later earned the position of Store Manager in 1971 in Madison, TN and for the next twenty-one years he was promoted to larger stores. His store manager assignments included a five-year assignment in the then new 1979 Pensacola University Mall store. He was Store Manager of five stores before he retired in 1993 from one of the largest sales volume stores in the JC Penney Company which was located in Metairie, LA. It is important to mention two former JCP partners who mentored him along the journey. One is long-time district manager and good friend Clayton Kilgore. Also his mentor from day one , Mr. John Wells, who is a former company senior vice president and David's good and loyal friend for over fifty six years. David has amassed several citations for outstanding performance during his years as store manager. The most prestigious was achieving the exclusive award called the Chairman's Award of Excellence by exceeding predetermined sales and profit goals set up for each store. Mr. Colby won this award on several occasions. David spent his retirement of over twenty years keeping busy. Skills passed down by his father included all kinds of woodworking including building cabinets, furniture, decks, and out buildings. He also loved to paint. Upon frequent visits to his four children David enjoyed "knocking off" the items they put on their to-do lists. David liked to think of himself as a master "piddler," always finding something for himself to stay busy. David was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Edna Colby. Survivors include only sister, Donna Lanphere of Santa Fe, NM; his spouse of fifty six years, Rose Colby; daughters, Karen Irby (Bill) of Kenbridge, VA, Nancy Lee (Jim) of Pensacola, FL, Barbara Spencer (Joe) of Cantonment, FL and son, Alan Colby (Paige) of Baton Rouge, LA. The Colby's have ten grandchildren and twenty-nine nieces and nephews. The Colby family would like to thank Dr. Alejandro A. Inclan and his staff for their professional care. Also, we want to thank Covenant Hospice and particularly, our nurse, Mrs. Noraly Asbell, R.N. for their support and guidance. The family will receive visitors 5-7pm Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. The internment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Polonia Cemetery, c/o Treasurer, Randy Reese at 1914 Richcreek Rd., Austin, TX 78757.