David "Dave" Leroy Brigman, age 70, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at his son's home in Warrensburg, Missouri.

He was born on August 16, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri to Maurice and Dorothy Brigman, and spent his entire life living in Missouri. He moved numerous times - from St. Louis to Jefferson City to Cooper Hill to Hillsboro - before finally settling in Sedalia.

Dave filled many roles throughout his life: shoe repair person, mechanic for all types of vehicles and equipment for over thirty years, arborist, woodworker, and volunteer.

Throughout his entire life, Dave was passionate about all things nature, especially farmland. At one point, he managed a 160-acre family farm filled with cropland, cows, and an 1860's house which he restored to modern standards, all while working at Twehous Excavating Company. He always mentioned Twehous as his favorite employer long after he finished working there due to the company's level of integrity.

His passion for trucks and cars, specifically those from the 1950s - 1970s, was boundless. He could name the vehicle's model and year at a glance. He visited car shows throughout Missouri whenever possible to talk with other car aficionados, even at the end of his lung illness.

He had been a music lover since an early age. Grand Funk Railroad, Bread, Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, King Crimson, and Led Zeppelin were some of his favorites. While not a musician himself, his official music playlist can be found around us all beyond the vinyl on his turntable: the clouds, trees, his pups, his family, and his zest for life.

Dave loved reading, and he would spend many hours devouring books about history, philosophy, and biographies to better understand the past and how to live a better life. That knowledge coupled with his love of nature guided his travels around the United States to visit many parks and historic sites with his family and friends.

Woodworking was such a passion for Dave that he restored several homes, built furniture, and fashioned picture frames for favorite images from his family. A handcrafted gift from Dave was always of the highest quality. He could craft and repair almost anything.

Dave didn't know what the word "stranger" meant. He could visit with anyone, at length, on a wide variety of subjects. He had the "gift of gab," a trait he proudly admitted sharing with his own dad.

He used that ability to help those in need, such as at the Sedalia Animal Shelter. In his last four years, the pups and staff at the shelter could count on Dave to sit, train, and walk the pups while they waited for their forever home. Dogs always played a huge part of his happiness. Rhett and Winfield's passing in 2022 was a terrible blow for him, but his last fur friend, little Hope, offered a caring companion during his final years.

Dave's proudest time of life began in 2002 with the birth of his grandson, Caleb. His pride blossomed further with his granddaughters Kylie and Maggie, and his role of "Grandpa" expanded with the birth of his great grandson, Oliver David Brigman, one year ago. Grandpa will be sorely missed and forever cherished.

Dave leaves to cherish his memory his son Dan and daughter-in-law Meg, his son Matt, his three beloved grandchildren Caleb (wife Lexy), Kylie, and Maggie, his great grandson Oliver "Ollie" David, his sister Joan, his brothers Jerry, Bob, Paul, and Tim, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, as well as a whole host of friends he made along the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Dorothy, his brother Charlie, and his sister Jean.

Dave offered his passion, love, and integrity to his family, friends, and community. While he will be missed by all who knew him, his devotion, kindness, and love will endure by those honoring his memory.

Before his passing, Dave had requested a private celebration of life.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Sedalia Animal Shelter at https://www.sedalia.com/connect/departments/animal-shelter/ or may be left in care of the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, Missouri.