Mr. David Van George Brydon Sr., age 75 years, of Lohman, Mo., passed away Monday, June 11, 2012 at the Boone Hospital Center, Columbia, Mo.

David was born March 15, 1937 in Jefferson City, Mo. the only child of Blan Walker and Marjory Amos Brydon.  He was married on February 11, 1961 in Columbia, Mo. to Sara Lou Pollock.

A resident of the Central Missouri area for most of his life, David was a 1955 graduate of Jefferson City High School.  While in high school he was class and student body president.  He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. and the University of Missouri at Columbia where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1959.  While at M.U. he served as President of Q.E.B.H. Men’s Honor Society, was a member of Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society and was president of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.  He had a desire to become a lawyer since eighth grade and entered the University of Missouri Law School.

David’s legal education was temporarily suspended when he entered active military service as a commissioned First Lieutenant in the United States Army as a result of R.O.T.C training.  He was on active duty at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland, and thereafter, spent eight years in the Missouri Army National Guard where he retired as a Captain, commanding the 1035th Ordinance Company in Jefferson City.

With his active military service complete, David returned to school and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law in February 1963 and received his law license on April 27, 1963.

David immediately started the practice of law in Jefferson City with Thomas Graham and Robert L. Hawkins Jr. David practiced his entire career at 312 East Capitol Avenue until his retirement on February 29, 2008. The law firm:  Brydon, Swearengen & England, P.C. that was started with three original members now has fifteen lawyers and nine staff members.

David’s successful legal career was vast and varied.  He was an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated attorney, a testament to the fact that his peers ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence.  In addition to serving his clients during their times of their greatest need, he also served his community as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Cole County.  He was also certified to practice law before the United States Supreme Court on March 17, 2008.

David was a life long member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church working mainly with young people.  He actively worked with the Cole County Historical Society, serving as President and as a member of the Board of Directors of the B. Gratz Brown Foundation.  He served as Chairman of the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust, President of the Cole County Bar Assn., and President of the Missouri University Fraternity Counsel. 

He enjoyed hunting and fly fishing for trout and, as a highly skilled gunsmith, repaired and refinished guns of all types, with special emphasis on high quality double barrel shotguns.

David received his private pilot’s license at age sixteen.  He became an instrument rated, multi-engine pilot, owning his own aircraft throughout his life.  He flew all over the United States.  David was also an enthusiastic outdoorsman, shooting and fishing throughout the world.  Grouse shooting in Scotland was a particular joy.

Survivors include: his wife of fifty-one years, Sara Lou Brydon; one son, Dr. David V.G. Brydon Jr. and his wife Amy of Waco, Texas; one daughter, Elizabeth Pool and her husband Scott of Jefferson City, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Grace Elise Brydon, Sarah Anne Brydon, Jonathan David Brydon, Rebekah Hope Brydon, Ruth Abigail Brydon, Isaiah John Brydon, Cance Adams Pool, and Helen Hope Pool.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be at the First Presbyterian Church from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM Friday, June 15, 2012.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Friday, June 15, 2012 with the Reverend Dr. Robert Erickson and the Reverend Dr. David Henry officiating.  Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at Riverview Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, 324 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101 or the Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust, 728 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Mo.  65101.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.