David Lee Hargis

He was born in Delhi, LA in 1953 to Quincy Lee Hargis and Helen Louise Burk Hargis. David attended the Lab school at Arkansas A&M before moving to Clinton, LA in 1960, where he attended Clinton Elementary. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1971. David studied Psychology at LSUNO, New Orleans, Rehab Counseling at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA, and Counseling Psychology at UNO, New Orleans earning a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and Ph.D., respectively.

He worked in the Rehabilitation Unit at F. Edward Hebert and the Pain Unit at Touro Hospital where he also learned hypnotherapy. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, and Argosy University in Chicago and Dallas.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Quincy, and is survived by his sisters, Sara Fleniken and Janet Gernon as well as four nieces and nephews.

David broke his neck and became a quadriplegic on his senior trip when he was 18. He did not allow this to define his life. All of his college and graduate degrees were earned after becoming a quad. He went white water rafting, snow skiing, and learned to dive and snorkel after becoming a quad. He was fiercely independent and would accept help only for things he absolutely could not do himself. He lived independently , drove himself to work and did much of his own housework and cooking for many years. He figured out ways to do things and make things work for him. Giving up was not an option!

David always had a good sense of humor and made friends easily. He put a smile on everyone’s face and always helped others whenever he could.

Through his counseling and teaching he was able to improve and influence many lives.

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. Dr. Seuss