David John Morley Thorson

David John Morley Thorson Dec. 22, 1922 - Sept. 20, 2010 Long-time Resident, Oakland David John Morley Thorson, a long time resident of Oakland, CA, passed away on Sept. 20, 2010. He was born in Shepherd, Alberta, Canada on Dec. 22, 1922 to Andrew H. Thorson and Ingeborg Mathea. David was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, April 1985. Devoted father of Marta Hicks and Arol Thorson, loving grandfather of Kalani Watson and Ceyda Ozarslan. Great grandfather of Louis Alakai, Saidee Malia and Luke Kalmakani Watson. Brother of Gene Thorson and sister-in-law Donna Thorson. David was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter, Artie, Arol, Vernon and sister Lillian Smith. As a boy, David's family moved from Canada to Modesto, CA and on to Groveland, CA where the father raised silver foxes and built two sawmills. After the father's death, they moved to Oakland where David worked in the naval shipyards and also met his future wife Betty. David was a patternmaker and with resins, designed the "F" on outside of the Fairmont Hotel in San Franciso, the "Bear" for the Pacific FarEast ship lines, the "Shell" insignia for Shell Oil Company, and the brass light fixtures on the lobby floor in the Clorox building in San Francisco, and many other high tech designs. David was a judo instructor for 18 years as well. David was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and friend whose warmth and sincerity touched all who had the pleasure to know him. He was known for his good nature, inquiring mind, kind heart and keen wit. His children inherited many of his traits and are thankful for his inspiration. He will be missed by all who knew him. Burial will be in Modesto near his mother and father. A celebration of David's life will be held at the Church of the Cross, 354 'B' St., Hayward, on Sat., Oct. 2, 2010, at 11:30 am.