David Leo Claybrook, 91, of Columbia, died Sunday, November 5, 2023. He was born to Marshall Glen Claybrook and Ethel Irene Claybrook on August 9, 1932 in Big Spring, TX.

Mr. Claybrook graduated from high school in Joshua, TX in 1949. He then attended the University of Texas where he graduated with his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1953 and later his PhD in Biochemistry in 1960. He met Gladys Marie Lathrop in his Biology 101 class, and they married in 1952. They were married for 50 years before her passing in 2002. He served his nation honorably in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. From 1960-1965, he did post graduate work at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. His career then led him to the University of South Carolina in 1965 where he was a professor of Biological Sciences. He later went on to serve as an associate dean of the Graduate School at USC from 1990 until his retirement in 1997. Following retirement, he gave his time by serving the Harvest Hope Food Bank as a volunteer from 1998-2018 where he was responsible for creating their original online database. He also enjoyed using his musical talents as a singer in the USC Community Chorus, the SC Lutheran Bach Choir, and the Ebenezer Lutheran Church Choir. In addition to singing, he also created the online database for the Ebenezer Church Choir. His other volunteer services include Cooperative Ministries, Providence Hospital, and the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. He was always ready to lend a hand to those who needed his help in any way.

Mr. Claybrook is survived by his children, Ginny (Marvin) Johnson, Pat (Joe) Simoneau, and Nancy (LeRoy) Lynn; his grandchildren, Kevin Johnson, Melissa Johnson, Erik Johnson, Daniel Simoneau, Mark Simoneau, Christy Strebel, Philip Simoneau, Robert Simoneau, and Matthew Caldwell; and 12 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Lathrop Claybrook; and his siblings, Dorothy Stanley, Lorene Wilson, Marshall Claybrook, John Claybrook, Paul Claybrook, and Russell Claybrook.

The memorial service for Mr. Claybrook will be held at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia on Saturday, December 2nd, at 1 o'clock. Visitation will be held at 12 o'clock prior to the service in the church's reception hall. The committal will follow the service at Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC.

The family requests that memorials be made to Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1301 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or Harvest Hope Food Bank, 2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201.

Remembrances may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.