David Jeffrey Bury

May 25, 1952 – June 9, 2011

Noted architect and civic leader David Bury passed away on June 9 after his battle with prostate cancer. David is well known for his designs of homes, luxury resort spas, and commercial structures throughout the Southwest. He is most recently recognized for his work on the re-designed Libbey Bowl in Ojai, a project very close to his heart in the community he loved most.

David was born in Coarsegold, California, the youngest son to Richard and Dorothy Bury. David spent his early years on a family ranch in the Sierra Foothills near Yosemite. He moved to Santa Barbara and attended Jefferson Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Ojai Valley School before graduating from Santa Barbara High. He held degrees in architecture from the University of New Mexico and Harvard University. He was a recipient of many design awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Ojai. He married his high school sweetheart Joanne Bennett. They lived in Ojai where they raised their two sons.

He worked with Brian Cearnal in Santa Barbara prior to opening his own business in Ojai. He was adept at marrying structure with the land and its people, incorporating historical and cultural sensibilities.

He served on the Ojai Planning Commission and two terms as Ojai Mayor.

David was passionate about life, an avid outdoorsman, a music lover, enjoyed travel to those out of the way places and he left us all too soon. David will be greatly missed by his wife Joanne and their two sons, Alex and Dustin, brothers John and his family of Santa Barbara, and Rick and his wife of Carpinteria, and a multitude of family and friends.

“I have loved the stars too fondly, to be fearful of the night”

A memorial service will be held at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ojai at Ojai Avenue and Bristol Road on Saturday, June 18 at 2:00 PM. Contributions in David’s name may be made to the Libbey Bowl Fund, c/o The Ojai Music Festival, P.O. Box 185, Ojai, CA 93023.