David Joseph Babakan
Resident of The Villages, San Jose
David Joseph Babakan, a loving father, grandfather and husband, passed away on November 18, 2019. Born October 27, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois to Solomon and Eunice Babakan, David was the youngest of four children. An excellent student and athlete, at age six he earned a gifted child scholarship to the Chicago Institute of Art, and later medaled on the speed skating team. In 1940, he moved with his parents to San Francisco, where he attended Polytechnic High School for three years. In 1943, he moved to his parents’ ranch in Turlock, where he attended Turlock High School for his senior year, followed by two years at Modesto Junior College. Simultaneously, he minded the ranch, started and ran a trucking company with his brother, while working in a bomb factory.
Despite losing the vision in his left eye at age four, David played varsity basketball and was on the shooting team in high school as well as Modesto Junior College.
Later, he worked for the Guy F. Atkinson Company, going to Okinawa just after the end of WWII. Starting as a bookkeeper, he returned to the U.S. three years later as the number three man for the 6500 person Kadena Air Base project. A talented poker player, he won enough money to fund a trip to Mexico with his late best friend Mel Snyder. David was also able to buy a Cadillac which he would drive later for dates with his future wife.
On January 31, 1954, David married Marianne Lenore Bazett in San Francisco. They raised two boys, Mark and Alan, moving several times in the Bay Area. The family enjoyed vacations in the Sierras, swimming, fishing and horseback riding at the White Cottage Ranch.
After a venture as a sole proprietor at Bartons of Powell Street, David went to work for Wells Fargo Bank. From a starting position as a loan officer, he rose to Vice President of the Real Estate Loan Division, becoming Chief Loan Officer for the bank, and finally, establishing the Well Fargo Mortgage Company. David analyzed and secured loans for numerous projects throughout the Bay Area and beyond, including Eastridge Shopping Center in San Jose and the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. His negotiating skill and ability to deal with others were greatly respected both within and outside the bank.
The reputation and experience David gained at the bank led to an offer from one of his most influential clients to be his Senior VP for operations developing shopping centers in 11 Western States. David’s meticulous attention to detail and thorough analysis worked to guarantee the long term success of each deal he worked on with this developer and Wells Fargo Bank, with all of his projects remaining open and financially viable.
In addition to his banking career, David completely renovated three apartment buildings in San Francisco, turning these older structures into modern, viable income-producing properties. He took the lead in fixing the units, while his wife and sons assisted in this family business. David also enjoyed extensive travel and playing bridge with his wife Marianne.
For his drive, sage advice, and love of family and friends, David will be sorely missed. Preceded in death by his brother Wendell, sisters Lois and Hannah, and nephew Curtis, David leaves behind his wife Marianne, sons Alan, Mark and wife Teresa, grandson Andrew, great granddaughter Maizy, nephews Harold and Glen, niece Anne, and a large extended family, as well as a lifetime of hard work and accomplishments.
A memorial/celebration of his life will be held Friday, March 20, 2020 at St. Stephen’s in the Field Episcopal Church in San Jose, starting at 11:00 AM.