Joseph “David” Painter’s kind and generous heart stopped, on Friday, Feb. 4, at age 84, in a local hospital under hospice care.

David was born June 2, 1937, in Natchez, Miss., where he was adopted by Patricia and Edward Painter, inspiring a lifelong passion for adoption.  When his family settled in Lake Charles, David attended Central School and Lake Charles High.  As a proud Wildcat he enjoyed activities and sports, including several championship teams, with many who would become close friends celebrating reunions as often as possible.

He attended Tulane University on a football scholarship, earning a business degree in 1959 and a law degree in 1962.  He made lifelong friends as a member of SAE Fraternity and most importantly met Isabel “Bel” Thornton.  They married in 1960 and were blessed to share 59 years of marriage at the time of her passing in 2019. 

They settled in Lake Charles in 1962, but “Home” for him was always Bel.   His 52-year legal career included a 34-year law practice serving his clients as friends (participating in over 250 adoptions) and 18 years on the bench beginning in 1996 serving the 14th Judicial District Court until 2005 when he began serving the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal until his retirement in 2014.  During that time, he also served on the Lake Charles City Council from 1983-1995, including serving as acting mayor for six months.

His life was filled with family, friends, travel and a passion for community and professional volunteer activities for which he was recognized through numerous awards.

He served as president of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association and the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association; he served on the House of Delegates and the Board of Governors of the Louisiana State Bar Association, a 60-year member; he served as a board member of the American Trial Lawyers Association; president of the Albert Tate Ends of Court; a member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and other legal organizations.  An Eagle Scout, he served as Bayou District chairman for the Boy Scouts.  A member of the Lake Charles Rotary Club, he served as president.  He also served on the YMCA Board, the SWLA Football Officials Association (he refereed for 25 years), the Boy’s Village Board of Directors, the Children’s Advocacy Center Community Advisory Council, the Veterans Memorial Park Committee, and the Calcasieu Parish Community Health Clinic Steering committee.  He was involved in United Way, the Cancer Society, and other local nonprofit organizations. 

A Green Wave Club member, he was a proud supporter of Tulane Athletics and was a founding member of the Krewe of Contraband, honored as king in 2000.  As a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, he served as a lay minister; on the Vestry and finance committee; and as a trustee of the Diocese of Louisiana.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bel; and his niece, Vicky Vincent Stulb.  

He is survived by his son, Sam Painter (Ginny); daughter, Amy Painter Allen (JD “Dale”); niece, Kathy Vincent Hanudel; nephew, Burt Vincent; and his pride and joy, two grandsons, James David and Jonathan Allen.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman Street, with visitation at the church on Wednesday, Feb. 9  from 4 – 7 p.m. and on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 9 – 11 a.m. before the service.  The officiant will be The Rev. Francis “Boo” Kay.

In Lieu of Flowers, please consider a donation to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Tulane University, or the charity of your choice.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.