David Michael Konarsky, known lovingly as “DK,” “Pops,” and “Papaw,” passed away peacefully at his home in Dale, Texas, on April 18, 2025, after a mighty two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. He was 65 years old. True to his quiet strength, self-determination, and “mind over matter” motto, David survived well past his initial one-year prognosis. He was surrounded by his loved ones in his final moments.

Born on May 6, 1959, in Austin, Texas, and raised just up the hill from Barton Creek, David was a refreshing natural spring of kindness, wisdom, and humor. He could seemingly do it all: a wonderful husband, father, artist, repairman, gardener, philosopher, mentor, and more. He was never in a hurry, but somehow still managed to get so much done in a day that it was hard to believe there was only one of him. But he truly was one of a kind. Whether he was creating giant paper-mache sculptures for his childrens’ school fairs, helping fix a family member’s car, building furniture in his woodshop, or giving fatherly advice, he did it all with intelligence, skill, generosity, and grace.

David retired earlier this year from Maxwell Ford. During his four decades of service, he became a well-known and respected figure across Central Texas (and beyond) for his vast automotive knowledge and his gift for helping others. Many knew DK not only for his professional expertise but for his honesty, good nature, and unique perspective.

David was a pool shark in his prime. He played in tournaments around the country, crafted his own custom pool cues, and he perfected his game in the pool room he built himself (often filled with the scent of his homemade, smoked beef jerky). He would sometimes shoot with only one hand, or on one foot, not to show off, but to give other players a slightly more “balanced” competition.

As a young man, David had dreams of playing professional baseball before a motorcycle accident rerouted his path. He continued to ride, but only on his bicycle, or in one of his beloved Ford trucks, which he used to help countless people who needed to move big, heavy things. He was a fortuitously frequent finder of arrowheads along the Greenbelt. He loved classic TV and movies, paperback books, pecan picking, PBS, painting, sculpting, baking cookies, and his nightly bowl of Blue Bell ice cream. 

David was a creator, not a consumer. A giver, not a taker. A fixer, not a breaker. He quietly built a better world with his hard work and his soft heart.

While David was extremely generous with others, he was very frugal with himself. He dressed humbly, cut his own hair (to his daughter’s dismay), grew his own vegetables, ate eggs from his own chickens and ducks, and he built all sorts of functional and/or fabulous objects out of unlikely materials (often leftovers from his home repair projects).

He was a deeply-loving and reassuring husband and dad, and also a warm, wise source of support for many young people who needed guidance. He dressed as Santa at Christmas, but he was just as jolly as St. Nick all year long. He would identify himself in voicemails to his daughter with, “This is your fathaaa” in a fancy British TV accent. Maybe he really was fancy; because, even though he farted a lot, they didn’t stink.

David left the planet better than he found it. He didn’t do it for attention or adoration or personal gain, but because it’s just who he was. David’s advice to his daughter was, “Be the best person you can be.” He was a peacemaker, who encouraged people to focus on what's really important, instead of getting angry over small things. He said he only wanted to become a tiny piece of the cosmos after his death, but David’s astronomical spirit will continue to shine over the many lives he brightened.

David is survived by his cherished wife, Dawn Konarsky; his son, Dillon Konarsky; daughter, Dae Konarsky; grandchildren Kannon Konarsky, Sofia Taylor, and Luna Taylor; his brother, Kenny Konarsky; and a host of extended family, in-laws, friends, and his menagerie of dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helmuth H. Konarsky and Mary E. Konarsky (née Taylor), and his brother, Donald W. Konarsky. 

In accordance with his wishes, David will be cremated. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to support David’s family can be made at https://gofundme.com/support-…

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