David Barranco, 53, of Sioux Falls, passed away on July 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on September 15, 1972, in San Antonio, Texas, David was a brilliant attorney, a dedicated public servant, and above all a devoted husband and father who placed his family at the center of his life. He graduated from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas. David completed his undergraduate work through the University of Texas Plan II Honors Program in 1994 with a triple major and received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1997. He began his legal career as a clerk for Chief U.S. District Judge Hayden W. Head, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He later opened his own practice, DCMB Legal.
In 2008, David married Catherine O’Gorman, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. They were blessed with two sons: Christopher arrived in 2011, and William followed in 2014. The family moved to South Dakota in 2017, where the Sioux Falls community quickly embraced them. In 2022, David was honored to be elected to the Sioux Falls City Council, where he served with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to the people he represented. His work helped shape meaningful community projects, and his influence will continue to be felt throughout Sioux Falls for years to come.
David had a lifelong passion for sports — playing baseball, football, soccer, and lifting weights as a young man. His encyclopedic knowledge of statistics, players, and stories from nearly every sport made watching games with him a special experience. He was also deeply involved in student government, theater, and journalism during his school years and proudly served as editor of his college newspaper. An avid reader with a thirst for knowledge, David had a remarkable ability to absorb information and converse with others on almost any topic that interested them.
Known for his quick wit and kind humor, David possessed an even bigger heart. He was generous to his core and genuinely wanted to help anyone he could, regardless of their circumstances. Above all, he loved his wife and sons fiercely. He cherished watching Christopher and William participate in sports, Civil Air Patrol, and chess, playing with them outdoors, and seeing them grow into young men with servant hearts.
David is survived by his wife, Catherine Barranco; sons, Christopher and William Barranco; parents, Ben and Kathy Barranco; sisters, Jinny Wenke and Amie (Ben) McClellan; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Keith and Eleanor O’Gorman; sister-in-law, Virginia (Sam) Dibrell; three nieces and one nephew; and countless extended family members and friends whose lives were enriched by his intellect, kindness, and dedication to others. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
A private family funeral will be held. A Community Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Carnegie Town Hall, 235 W 10th St, Sioux Falls, SD.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been arranged to assist the family with end-of-life and ongoing expenses.
David’s life was a testament to service, love, and community — the kind of legacy that endures in the hearts of those who knew him and the city he served. He will be deeply missed.