David K. Thurber
David Kyle Thurber, Esq. passed away on January 17th, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 82 years old. David was born in Arcadia, California on April 29th, 1942, to Kyle Nelson Thurber and Lily (Postlethwaite)Thurber.
David attended Arcadia High School, then went on to complete his bachelor’s degree in English at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He finished his education in 1969 with a Doctorate in Law from USC Gould School of Law, graduating in the top ten of his class with Law Review distinction.
During his early years as a lawyer, David moved to Canada to teach law at York University, Toronto while also providing legal aid to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. When he returned to the United States in the early 1980’s, he continued his practice quickly rising to a senior partner in a Santa Ana, California law firm. He then moved to Santa Barbara in the mid-1990’s to practice law from his own office. Highly active in the Santa Barbara legal community, he was a Board Member of the Santa Barbara Women Lawyers, President of the SBWL (2004) and Executive Board President of the Santa Barbara Legal Aid Foundation.
Outside of his legal work, David also had many personal interests. He had a great love of animals and plants, especially orchids. His collection of cymbidiums and epiphyllum orchids was stunning and he would spend hours repotting his orchids to keep them healthy. David was an avid reader and music was a passion. There was always some music playing in his home….Leonard Cohen, The Band, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, and Bad Company, to name a few.
The only time music wasn’t playing is if a USC football game was on the television or a fabulous tennis match. And his sense of humor, quick wit and storytelling was legendary.
David is survived by his daughter, Jeanne Thurber Tierno (Tony), his sons, Kyle Thurber and Raphael Thurber (Corie). He also leaves behind his granddaughter, Cassidy MacRae (Matt), his two grandsons, Mateo Thurber and Lucas Thurber and his two great-grandsons, Sterling MacRae and Griffin MacRae. David is also survived by Stan Thurber (Ruth), his brother.
He will be missed immensely.
Remembrances may be left at https://www.reisfamilymortuary.net/