Obituary of
David Nicholas Magnis
David Magnis passed away on the morning of August 2, 2023, due to complications from a stroke. He was born in Livonia, Michigan, the eldest child of Nick and Mona Magnis on June 6, 1953. Growing up, David also lived in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and San Mateo, California.
David met Jeanine Powell in 1992 in Dallas. They married in 1998. Best friends, they enjoyed travel. Their favorite places were New York City, Chincoteague Island, Paris, and several beaches in Florida and Alabama.
David graduated from the University of Tulsa, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1984. He later enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas, completing the Texas teaching certification program in 2000. He worked in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, both at Long Middle School and the Early College High School, the latter being the place he felt he was meant to be his whole life.
David’s greatest love of all was his family. He left behind three beloved siblings: Nancy Thursby, Rick Magnis, and Joanne Boulton. In addition to his siblings, he was blessed with six nieces and one nephew. Amy Garcia, Kristen Hohn, Elizabeth Boulton, Sara Thursby, Alexa Boulton, Megan Thursby, and Nick Magnis: you brought more joy to David’s life than you will ever know. He also enjoyed cousins Maureen Highkin, Rob Golder, and Michelle Camperson. David also considered Jeanine’s family as his own and enjoyed his many friends.
David continued to live a happy life until almost the very end. He and Jeanine spent a week in Orange Beach in July, sitting on the beach and body surfing in the Gulf. The day of the stroke, they had been swimming at the WMCA.
If anyone would like to honor David with a donation, the family suggests the Magnis-Powell Family Scholarship Fund, a fund that David established in honor of family to help deserving graduates of the Early College High School attend college.
Donations can be made on-line at https://www.cfbisd.edu/community/education-foundation/give. Please enter “David Magnis” in the comments section of the form. Alternatively, donations can be mailed to the address below with the notation “David Magnis” in the memo line of the check.
CFBISD Educational Foundation
c/o Donna Wald
1445 N. Perry Rd.
Carrollton, TX 75006
All are invited to a memorial service for David Magnis:
Sunday, August 13, 2023
1:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Church
4015 Normandy Avenue
Dallas, TX 75205
Tribute Wall of David Nicholas Magnis
Mr. Magnis was THE best history teacher I’ve ever had. Not only was he passionate about teaching, but he was caring enough to always include every student and make you feel seen. He always brought his humor to the classroom and made you always leave with a smile. It was an honor to have had him as my teacher. He will forever live in my heart and memory.
Cinthia Ortiz
David's Previous Student
Sunday August 13, 2023
Always in our hearts
Mr. Magnis was THE best history teacher I’ve ever had. Not only was he passionate about teaching, but he was caring enough to always include every student and make you feel seen. He always brought his humor to the classroom and made you always leave with a smile. It was an honor to have had him as my teacher. He will forever live in my heart and memory.