ForeverMissed
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David Blair Murton, 88, passed in peace July 29, 2021. While he lived in Tucson, Arizona the last 3.5 years to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, his heart was always in San Diego, California.

He was the loving father of Doug (d. 12/2008), Betsy (Gil) Mendoza, Ian (Tracy) Murton, Shelby (Dani) Pena.

One of Dave’s biggest accomplishments was being an exceptional Dad. He was always there for his kids through it ALL, no matter what and to the end.

Dave will be fondly remembered by all who knew him as a distinguished career US Naval Officer, dedicated High School math teacher, volunteer to whatever needed him most, champion of the environment, avid reader, impromptu singer & dancer, wicked humorist, cherry cheese pie lover, chocolate milkshake aficionado and most importantly an all-around stellar human being.

Dave was a no frills, super practical kind of guy and his last wishes were to (as quickly as possible) be jetted over to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York to rest easy with his beloved best friend and bride Jean Marie (d. 2/2019).

Dave & Jean had a poem special to them by Robert Burns.  They are finally reunited, their love like a red, red rose.

O my Luve is like a red, red rose
   That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
   That’s sweetly played in tune.
So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
   So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
   Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
   And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
   While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
   And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
   Though it were ten thousand mile.
August 12, 2021
August 12, 2021
We met Dave when we first arrived here at .Atria. He was so welcoming.
We had many good conversations at the dinner table. When he told us he was moving to another place we felt a real loss and now it has increased even more, He was a fine gentleman and most interesting conversationalist.
August 8, 2021
August 8, 2021
I have only met Mr. (and Mrs.) Murton perhaps once or maybe twice in all the years my Uncle Gil and Betsy have been married, but the one occasion I recall with great fondness was when they welcomed us to their beautiful San Diego area home years ago. There was a warmth and genuine hospitality that will be long remembered with a smile. Me and my family were not only welcomed but treated as if this was our 100th visit and as if we were family and friends from many years. 
My heart, love and prayers are with you, Betsy, as you navigate this new life without your beloved mom and dad. You, your siblings, and all who knew and loved your parents are left with so many treasures in all your experiences and memories. Please draw upon this to help you through. 
Please also look to our Heavenly Father to sooth your wounded heart and to give you what you need for today, tomorrow, and until we are rejoined with all our loved ones who are safely in His arms.
I love you.
August 8, 2021
August 8, 2021
I've had the great honor to know and love Dave for almost 40 years. He is such a interesting, funny and loving person. His bond with his beautiful wife Jean was a joy to behold. Such a great example of what a long lasting marriage should look like. His love for his children and granddaughter is so inspiring. I'll miss visiting with him and his great holiday news letters. We have lost a great source of history telling and knowledge with his passing and an all around fun guy. I know he's with Jean now and so happy to be by her side. Loving thoughts to Betsy, Ian, Shelby and other loved ones.
August 8, 2021
August 8, 2021
I met Dave the first time in 2018 shortly after my husband of 50+ years had passed. Dave was wearing a grey plaid flannel shirt from LLBean. I had to comment to Dave about the shirt as it was the same shirt that had been my Don's favorite and the only piece of his clothing that i saved from Goodwill. I am so glad i was brave enough to initiate a conversation. I joined his non fiction book club here at Atria and found a great new friend. Condolences to all.
August 6, 2021
August 6, 2021
I had the privileged of knowing Dave and the Murton family from La Mesa UMC. Jean and I both attended the Ethel Hawks UMW Circle/Sunday School. Many great memories of a wonderful family! Dave was always supportive and interested in my teaching career listening intently as I shared all the ups and downs. He was a mentor. Dave was involved wholeheartedly in church life with great joy and enthusiasm. I am compelled to use some of the same descriptors already mentioned because they are so spot-on! Dave was a "great soul with a bright inner light." He did indeed have "sparkling eyes" in conversation. And I, too, enjoyed his "sense of fun and humor." Thanks for this opportunity to share my appreciation for Dave Murton and all the Murton family! So sorry for your loss. Mechelle
August 6, 2021
August 6, 2021
Dear Murton Family,
I am sorry to hear of David's passing. Although I didn't know him in most of my adult years, I often heard news of him and his family. My sister and I grew up with the Murtons. George and Adrienne were special friends of our parents, especially during their folk dancing days. David and Dana were like cousins and how we looked up to both of them. I followed news of David and his family over the years and know what a loving considerate man he was. My memory of him will always be what a loving connection we had in our youth.
August 5, 2021
August 5, 2021
I've got lots of cousins and how can you pick favorites? ... but David & Dana were always like big brothers and so very special. How I loved being with their family. One of my favorite memories was during my high school years when I was asked to join them at Folk Dance Camp. David was one of the BEST dancers and I loved twirling around the floor with him. David picked that up from his Dad, who was another amazing dancer. Thank you, Dear David, for being so special in my life. - Cousin Laurie Runyon Molsberry
August 5, 2021
August 5, 2021
A very special privilege as Dave's younger brother to have been associated through our growing years. Dave has always been an outstanding example of the fullness of life to be experienced actively and with love for all mankind. I will continue to look to Dave's example of love and honor in my aim to learn of our mutual, forever unbroken love and relationship to God-Love.
August 4, 2021
August 4, 2021
Dave was truly a blessing to our church in La Mesa. He was active in every program. We especially remember his leading us in the study of the book, "The Road Less Traveled," which was so fitting for the kind of man he was. We also loved Jean, the ever-loving and supportive wife. 
August 1, 2021
August 1, 2021
While I did not have had a lot of time with my bestie's father throughout the years, I had the honor many times of being with him at a number of celebrations, gatherings, and a very special Thanksgiving dinner. I always knew I was in the presence of a great soul with a bright inner light who enjoyed a good laugh, and who felt a fullness of life through his family and friends. He may not be with us here any longer, but certainly such a loving force of nature is in many ways, always with us. My deepest sympathy and love.
August 1, 2021
August 1, 2021
Uncle Dave's loving smile, sparkling eyes, and sense of fun and humor always made family events joyful!
July 31, 2021
July 31, 2021
I carry such fond memories of my childhood w/the Murton family as David’s parents & mine were close friends. I’m happy that my mother & I got to visit David, Jean & Shelby in La Mesa & be a part of the celebration of both Betsy’s & Ian’s weddings. Keeping in touch over the holidays was always a special connection time. David was a special person who touched many & will not be forgotten. With loving thoughts to the family. Val

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Recent Tributes
August 12, 2021
August 12, 2021
We met Dave when we first arrived here at .Atria. He was so welcoming.
We had many good conversations at the dinner table. When he told us he was moving to another place we felt a real loss and now it has increased even more, He was a fine gentleman and most interesting conversationalist.
August 8, 2021
August 8, 2021
I have only met Mr. (and Mrs.) Murton perhaps once or maybe twice in all the years my Uncle Gil and Betsy have been married, but the one occasion I recall with great fondness was when they welcomed us to their beautiful San Diego area home years ago. There was a warmth and genuine hospitality that will be long remembered with a smile. Me and my family were not only welcomed but treated as if this was our 100th visit and as if we were family and friends from many years. 
My heart, love and prayers are with you, Betsy, as you navigate this new life without your beloved mom and dad. You, your siblings, and all who knew and loved your parents are left with so many treasures in all your experiences and memories. Please draw upon this to help you through. 
Please also look to our Heavenly Father to sooth your wounded heart and to give you what you need for today, tomorrow, and until we are rejoined with all our loved ones who are safely in His arms.
I love you.
August 8, 2021
August 8, 2021
I've had the great honor to know and love Dave for almost 40 years. He is such a interesting, funny and loving person. His bond with his beautiful wife Jean was a joy to behold. Such a great example of what a long lasting marriage should look like. His love for his children and granddaughter is so inspiring. I'll miss visiting with him and his great holiday news letters. We have lost a great source of history telling and knowledge with his passing and an all around fun guy. I know he's with Jean now and so happy to be by her side. Loving thoughts to Betsy, Ian, Shelby and other loved ones.
Recent stories

Hey, Little Bro!

September 21, 2022
Now that I am having to go through my dad's files and memorabilia, I am finding notes, letters, and emails that my dad, Dana - David's little brother - saved. They often start with, "Hey, Little Brother!" On the other hand, Granddad, George Murton, often headed his with, "Hi, Old Man."
There are so many small glimpses into the grand sweep of the lives of the Murtons to be found in the (almost) endless boxes and file cabinets!
Debbie Murton Campbell

Memories of Dave and Jean by Hal and Mary Moore

August 2, 2021
Dear Betsy, Ian and Shelby,
We were so saddened to learn of Dave's passing - our correspondence has been reduced to a yearly Christmas letter and we had no idea he was not well. We go way back to 1963 when both Dave and Hal were Naval Officers attending MIT graduate school for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Dave and Jean soon became our close friends for the three years the men attended MIT - Dave and Hal studying 95% of the time (it seemed) and Jean and I passing time as young wives did is those days: shopping, sewing, cooking, etc. We spent most holidays together as our families were good distances away. And we spent many a vacation getaway together. The most memorable of those (to me) was when we went camping together up into Maine. Jean's only stipulation was that they spend every third night in a motel :). We all had borrowed equipment from Navy Special Services. One of the nights Dave and Jean spent in a motel was when we had a torrential downpour and we discovered that our tent was full of holes. They arrived at the site the next morning for breakfast, "bright eyed and bushy tailed", to find two very tired and soggy campers (I was seven months pregnant to boot) hanging everything out on branches to dry. Yep - they laughed, not a word of condolence -  but at least cooked breakfast for us. As we forged further north up to Baxter State Park, we found a miles-out-of the way campsite, isolated on a lake with canoes available. On a connecting stream between two lakes, the men found they needed to grab the bow line on each canoe and drag the canoes (with Jean and me in them) through the shallow stream, "African Queen" style. Collapsing at the end of the trek, they discovered they were both covered with leeches and nearly freaked out.

D and J received Doug about the same time we had our first child, Marnie. I fondly remember Doug "sending" Marnie a dear little corsage for her first birthday - the Murtons did thoughtful things like that. Both families were able to keep each other well informed about succeeding children with their heartaches and accomplishments.

We sadly went our separate ways to duty stations a great distance apart at graduation. Hal and Dave had become such close friends that they both shed tears at their parting. Since we stayed on the east coast, Dave's eventual tour at the Naval Academy gave us another opportunity to get together for hugs and conversation. We were fortunate to keep close contact over the years and when our son was going to school in California, we were able to visit them a couple times in La Mesa and spend a few days in their home. 

Thank you for the great pictures of the two of them - oh those smiles!! Our hearts are heavy but we're grateful for wonderful memories and thank the Lord for such wonderful friends. God bless you and your families - you have a wonderful heritage. 

Love and blessings, 
Mary & Hal Moore

P.S. Our contact information should be in your Dad's address file. I will look for any pictures we still have of your folks (we have sent some to them in the past) to scan for you.

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