Growing a Fulfilling Retirement

After a fulfilling 40-year career in Bexar County’s Tax Assessor-Collector’s office, TCDRS retiree David Deleon is growing happiness in retirement with a little help from his land, loved ones and travel adventures.

By John Martin

You can learn a lot about TCDRS retiree David Deleon after a brief look around his home in North-Central San Antonio. An avid collector, David’s shelves are filled with stories, from rare bottles of bourbon and tequila to historical items from his father’s days in the Alamo Cement Company. He even has memorabilia from his favorite sports teams like his signed bobblehead of the San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginóbili.

But David’s growing collection is only one of the many ways he has been finding fulfillment since retiring from Bexar County’s Tax Assessor-Collector’s office with nearly 40 years of service.

With the rest of his time and energy, he’s tending to his friendships and family bonds, exploring the state he spent his career serving and maintaining his family’s land in Devine, Texas.

David has spent his whole life in the San Antonio area and doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. He took over management of the farm from his dad, who worked in San Antonio’s historical town of Cementville in the powerhouse at Alamo Cement Company, in addition to growing crops on the family land.

“He had a contract with the U.S. government to grow peanuts,” David says. “During the summer, we would play baseball, but sometimes, my dad would take us out to the farm and put us to work.” After his dad passed, the land went to David and his six siblings, of which David is the second oldest.

David’s land in Devine, Texas. Photo courtesy of David Deleon

Although he’s hung up the peanuts and is no longer farming on contract, David says farm life has become one of his most beloved retirement hobbies. Lately, he’s been trying his hand at growing watermelon. “I promised my old friends at the tax office I’d bring over some watermelon, but I cut them a little too early and am going to have to try again,” David says. “They tell me I’ve gone from Deputy Dave to Farmer Dave.”

Cultivating Connections

In his retirement, David is also trying to be intentional about maintaining vibrant social connections. The farm is a perfect spot for family get-togethers. All but one of his siblings still live in San Antonio, so they like to go out to the farm with all the cousins, fire up the grill and get some barbecue going whenever they get the chance.

“I’m blessed to have a lot of friends,” David says. “My wife used to say I couldn’t walk into a room without making a new one.” He and fellow retirees from tax-assessor collector offices in the area meet regularly for breakfast at a local restaurant, and he stops by the office whenever he can to catch up with those who haven’t crossed into retirement yet.

“I used to love going to conferences and meeting my peers from around Texas,” he says, adding that his greatest gratification on the job was helping people and supporting local events within his community. “I’ve met wonderful people during my career.”

David’s first watermelon harvest (left) and David admiring the wildflowers on his land (right). Photos courtesy of David Deleon

Maintaining strong relationships with family and friends has been especially important since David lost his wife of 25 years, Lorena Deleon, to breast cancer in 2019 after battling the illness for seven years. “My mom, my daughter, my brothers, my sisters and my friends, they all supported me, along with the staff from the tax office and everyone from my church congregation,” he says, adding that having so many loved ones around made coping with grief a little easier.

Harvesting Happiness

Retirement has been treating David well, largely thanks to all of his hobbies. “I was active before retiring, and I kept it up in retirement,” David says. “I’ve slowed down, but my friends are always surprised that I’m still running up and down the basketball court.”

David at the 2024 Texas SandFest in Port Aransas, Texas. Photo courtesy of David Deleon

Traveling has been another source of enjoyment, as David has taken trips to California, New Mexico, Ohio, Mexico and more. He has also made a habit of traveling around Texas for events like Port Aransas’ SandFest, comedy shows, sports games, concerts and barbecue. “I just tell my daughter, Amanda, ‘I’m heading out for a few days,’ and go!” says David.

“I have no regrets,” he says. “I’m blessed financially and haven’t needed to dip into my retirement savings at all.” He attributes his success to the importance he places on planning. “I have two financial advisors and check in with them regularly to see how I’m doing.”

As for the future, David plans to continue staying active and traveling wherever he wants to go. But before too long, he’ll be taking another crack at those watermelons to earn the title of “Farmer Dave” once and for all!

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