David Pate Dillard, 61, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. David was an avid adventurer, who loved to fence, played the violin and cello, was an Architect, Artist and Photographer. He was active in the art and cultural scene of New Orleans taking inspiration for his creative endeavors many from iconic structures and architectural elements in and around New Orleans. Historic buildings and churches were among his favorite subjects exhibiting many of his works around the city.

He was born in Laurel, Mississippi, the oldest of three children, to Judge W. O. "Chet" Dillard and Marilyn Mikesell Dillard, on July 10, 1960. David graduated from Clinton High School in 1978 and attended Mississippi State University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture in 1983. He also received a Masters of Preservation Studies from Tulane University's School of Architecture in 2007. David has worked as a Principal Architect as well as a Forensic Architect since 1983 designing and overseeing extensive projects in the private and commercial sectors with an emphasis on historical preservation projects across the Southeast. He served on the New Orleans Vieux Carre' Commission as a Reviewing Architect and taught as an Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Tulane University. David lived and worked in Europe for six years opening his own art gallery in 2015, West Cork Art, in Schull, Ireland, where he exhibited many of his own paintings along with those of other Irish artists. In 2016 he served as an Archeological Consultant for ArcheoSpain in Madrid, Spain utilizing 3-D imaging on archaeological digs. He also served as an Archeological and History lecturer for Cruise Ship Voyages speaking in Northern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. Coming back home to New Orleans, David was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Church where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Round Table. He was a member of the American Institute of Architecture since 1995 and a member of Mensa International since 1987.

He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Cooper Dillard, whom he loved dearly, his beloved Shannon Moira Prince, whom he shared a beautiful life since 2012, mother, Marilyn Mikesell Dillard, brother, Robert Dillard, and sister, Stacy Howorth (Graham), nephew, Jacob Dillard, and niece, Katherine Graham Howorth. He was preceded in death by his father, Judge W.O. "Chet" Dillard, nephew Joshua Dillard and stepson, Parker Prince.

The family asks in lieu of flowers please make donations to the Charity of your Choice.