David Earl McBride

David Earl McBride died Thursday November 5, 2026, at Heartford House while under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. David was born on December 19, 1931, to Robert and Vera McBride in a house on Hamilton Ave. in Owensboro, KY. He attended St. Francis Academy and served in the US Navy from 1951-1954 aboard the USS Roanoke. David began his long career in the newspaper business at the Kingsport Times-News in 1957. In 1960, he returned to Owensboro where he met Anita Hobbs. They married at St. Stephen Cathedral on January 28, 1961. Dave and Anita were married for 51 years until her death on September 7, 2012. He was a 49-year member of Immaculate Parish.

Throughout his career as a newspaper journalist, David worked at the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, Henderson Gleaner, and Channel 14 News. In 2014, he was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and was also honored as a Kentucky Colonel. David retired from the Ohio County Times-News in 2016 after more than 46 years of service as editor, where he also wrote the weekly column, “Little Bit of Everything.” From 2016 to 2022, he continued sharing his thoughts and stories through a personal column in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.

David was a published author and received several first-place awards from the Kentucky Press Association throughout his distinguished career. Beyond his love of journalism and writing, he was very fond of flower gardening.

In addition to his parents and his beloved wife, Anita, David is proceeded in death by his grandson, Caleb Josiah Milem on May 31, 2026, a brother Bobby McBride, sisters Louise Henning, Virgie Tichenor, Dena McBride, and Helen Hein.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sons Marty McBride and Kelly McBride; daughters Dawn Milem and her husband Charles and Beth Draeger and her husband Tony, all of Owensboro; grandchildren Bekah West, Hannah Blanton, AJ Draeger, Layne Kretzer, Charlie Milem, Catherine Milem, Christian Milem, and Corrie Milem; 3 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Catholic Church at 10AM on Monday, November 9, 2026. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will take place at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory from 3-6:30PM with prayers at 6:30PM on Sunday, November 8, 2026 and at the church from 9-10AM the day of the funeral.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Western Kentucky or Care Net Owensboro.

Memories and condolences for the family may be offered at www.glenncares.com