David Martin Sekel

David Sekel, devoted husband, father, ordained Deacon, friend, and loving servant to so many, passed away peacefully in his home in Colorado Springs on March 11, 2025, at the age of 72, after a courageous four-year battle with renal cell cancer. David was surrounded in his final days by his caring wife, daughter, & Nurse Lexi. He was deeply cherished by his wife of 50 years, Pat Pallat Sekel, and their daughter, Melissa Sekel Jackowski, of Springfield, OR.

Born May 19, 1952, in Cambridge, Ohio, David was the son of Helen [nee Pashel] and John Sekel and brother of Teresa Sekel [Bob Schrum]. He was a 1970 graduate of Meadowbrook HS, going on to earn his Associate bachelor’s degree in forestry from Muskingum Technical Institute , and enlisted in the US Army. He fell in love with Colorado Springs while stationed at Fort Carson, serving as a Sergeant for Forward Artillery during the Vietnam War.

He married his “Byesville girl” in 1974. After being awarded an honorable discharge, the couple moved to Athens, OH. David attended Ohio University where he earned a BS and MS in Geology. Oil took the young couple to Houston, TX where he was an exploration geologist. While there, David earned his Executive MBA from Houston Baptist University.

A new opportunity with the growing tech industry moved David and his young family to Austin, TX. He spent a significant portion of his career with Dell Computers, most notably as a member of the project management team protecting Dell systems and computers around the world from the “Y2K Millenium Bug.”

David has always been a spiritual man. With his involvement in the formation of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, which was founded at our home parish of St. John Neuman, David learned to “see” the homeless and how to more effectively

minister to their needs. He proudly helped institute the first COO position for MLF. Even after moving to Port Orange, FL, David returned to Austin to bless the inauguration of Community First! – a residential community for formerly homeless persons.

In 2008 he felt the call of a different kind. After five years of discernment and classes, David received the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Diocese of Austin in 2010 to the Permanent Deaconate. He served in three dioceses: Austin – three years [St. John Neumann parish, Austin]; Orlando – six years [Our Lady of Hope parish, Port Orange]; and Colorado Springs [Divine Redeemer parish & chaplain to Catholic Charities, Colorado Springs].

Following some well-deserved semi-retirement in Port Orange, FL, David and Pat made the decision to move to Colorado Springs, right before the Pandemic. They felt blessed to have gotten back to a place they fell in love with nearly 50 years earlier.

David was an extraordinary man - a Deacon and Dad Of Reputable Knowledge - who touched the lives of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends.

Deacon David left this world a little better than when he arrived; those who knew him, and all whose hearts he touched as Deacon and Spiritual Director, would agree that he achieved his goal: “Well done good and faithful servant; come now and share your Master’s joy…” (Matthew 25:21).

The family would like to thank the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center, Compassus Palliative and Hospice care teams for their compassionate care and kindness, and all the wonderful people who helped make David more comfortable during this very trying time. The family is thankful for the many friends and family who reached out to remind him how much he positively impacted their lives. Deacons Billy Atkins, Dan Lupo, and Rob Resovy

provided friendship and spirituality in their talks with him and were a great comfort.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated April 5, 2025, 10:00am MDT, at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church in Colorado Springs, Bishop Golka presiding. A reception will be held following the service. For those wishing to view the funeral mass may visit: https://www.youtube.com/@DivineRedeemerCOSprings/streams

An inurnment service at St. John Neumann columbarium in Austin, TX will be scheduled for a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Spiritual Care Team of Catholic Charities in Colorado Springs or a charity of your choice.