Memorial Planned for Muralist David Legaspi

A celebration of life service to honor the late David Legaspi III, 51, will be held in Santa Monica next week.

The service is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 27 at Barnum Hall on the .

Legaspi was found dead on June 5. It is believed he passed away from natural causes, most likely a probable heart attack due to a pre-existing heart condition, according to a family spokesperson.

A memorial page has been set up on Facebook.

Legaspi was well-known in the Malibu community, as well as in Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley communities for the hundreds of murals he created,

Born in the Philippines, Legaspi was the oldest of five siblings. He received his B.S. Degree in Architecture from the University of St. Thomas, Philippines and then worked as an architect, visual designer, merchandiser, and publicity artist for the U.S. Army & Air Force Exchange Service at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, and the Royal AirForce, Upper Heyford, England.

In 1993, he became a full-time freelance artist and muralist, first in Sydney, Australia and then in Los Angeles. He returned to architecture at the CBMG Management Group in Santa Monica from 1999 to 2002.

Legaspi considered painting murals with and for children, whom he called his "Little Artists," his life's calling.

Legaspi did not charge for his mural services at his public projects. He most often paid for mural materials as well. He used funds from his private commissions to pay for his public projects.

Phil Cott, principal of Malibu’s Webster Elementary School, where Lesgaspi painted his first school mural, said Legaspi was a great friend and patron to .

“David was the single most generous and prolific contributor to our school in my 20 years at Webster, and literally transformed our environment,” Cott said.

David is survived by his siblings, Dodie, Marileth, Denn, and Malou, his parents, Letty Legaspi and David Legaspi Jr.from Sydney, Australia, nephews, nieces, cousins, other extended family who live in the Philippines, Australia, and United States.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: David Legaspi III Memorial Fund, PO Box 2863, Malibu, CA 90265.  Visit his Facebook page at David Legaspi III Memorial Page.