David Folschinsky

David John Folschinsky

3/13/1954 - 1/11/2024

David John Folschinsky passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 11, 2024 in Brenham, Texas at the age of 69 years. He was a lifelong resident of Washington County, respected, trusted, blessed with a marvelous sense of humor and loved by all that knew him. A community leader and a man of many talents, it was an honor to be called his friend.

David was born in Brenham, Texas, on March 13, 1954 to Lillian (Wehmeyer) and John Folschinsky. He grew up in the Sandy Hill area as an only child, spoiled and adored by his parents, aunts and uncles. He was educated in the Brenham public school system and a graduate of Brenham High School. He obtained his Undergraduate and Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from Texas A&M University in 1976.

David's faith and belief in God was his greatest strength and the lessons learned at his mother's knee served him and his community well. He was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church and more recently a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham.

David John owned and operated Design II in Brenham. He built his business with the help of his sweet mother Lillian in the early years of establishing what would become the areas premier catering company for over 35 years. David's attention to menus and floral design thrilled many a bride and groom. Blessed by wonderful clients, David Folschinsky and his Design II staff were highly solicited to help with any event worth holding in our community. There was nothing he and his staff could not or would not do to please his clients. And those clients eventually all became his good friends.

David supported the youth of the area by hiring many high school students to work in his catering kitchen. He believed that teaching these young adults life skills, work ethics and teamwork would give them valuable lessons in leadership. And of course, to work with David at Design II was a pretty cool job, because David was always fun and entertaining.

Throughout his lifetime David was a champion for many not-for-profit organizations giving freely of his time, talent and treasure. A few of these organizations are The Heritage Society of Washington County, American Cancer Society & Relay for Life, Brenham Maifest Association, Washington County Fair, Unity Theater, many area churches and their activities, school functions and many more benefitted from his gifts.

David served as a Trustee for Baylor Scott & White Foundation-Brenham and Brenham Childrens Chorus where he won the "Battle for the Baton" competition and he served as a Director for Burton Cotton Gin.

In 2009 David was awarded the Washington County Chamber of Commerce "Man of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient", for his many gifts to the community he loved.

David retired from Design II in 2020 in the hope of slowing down and having new adventures. But in typical David fashion, the desire to make a difference and help others remained. In 2022 he started working as a part time consultant with Blinn College in the Food Service Department. In this position he assisted with special functions, all meals for the Blinn Board of Trustees and the Blinn Foundation Trustees, as well as helping to redesign menus for the department. He loved working with the cooks and special events staff to ensure that everything worked smoothly and was held to high standards. David had just accepted a full-time position with the Blinn Food Services. Sadly, he will be missed by all that knew him.

David worked hard all of his life and has now joined his beloved mother, Lillian Folschinsky and father, John Folschinsky, who preceded him in death, and they are certainly busy catching up on all the happenings and cooking up something delicious to share.

Family and friends left to celebrate David and the positive and lasting impact he made on their lives are his adopted children & grandchildren- James Ahrens and wife, Michele, Adyn, Jack, Miya and Ady; his godchildren, Sally Schoenvogel Bradley and Grant Hughes; and very special friends Maria Carmen Guzman and her daughters Valeria and Vanessa.

Also surviving are first cousins, Marjorie Schroeder, Shirley Boeker, Patsy Dannhaus, Linda Pieper and Darrell Wehmeyer. Other cousins Doris Eckermann, Emil Schwartz, Rhonda and Kenneth Schwartz, Pam Schwartz, Rhonda Wehmeyer and Linda Mercer who was as close as a sister to David.

David will also be remembered and missed by his "family of friends"! And they know who they are!!!

A Memorial Service & Celebration of Life for David John Folschinsky will be held at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham with Pastor Charles Parnell officiating.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Baylor Scott & White Foundation of Brenham, Blinn College Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main St., Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.