David Benton Dibrell was born on May 26, 1938, in San Antonio, to John L. and Juanita (Pounds) Dibrell. He grew up in Big Spring, Texas, graduated from Big Spring High School and completed his education at Howard County Junior College and the University of Texas in Austin. He married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Marie Mann, and they have two daughters, Jo D. Dibrell and Jill Dibrell Nennmann (Mrs. Brian Nennmann); and two grandsons, Steven and Benton.