David Lorne Hayton

David Lorne Hayton

David Lorne Hayton, age 85, passed away on November 4, 2024. He completed the family of Leslie E. and Frances (Davis) Hayton when he was born on March 27, 1939. As the youngest of five, David grew up on Fir Island, across the road from the family farm. He attended Conway Grade School and Mount Vernon High School, where he made several lifelong friends.

As a young boy he played and worked on the farm learning to operate many vehicles, tractors, and various pieces of equipment. David's interests as a teenager were varied and adventurous—he had a passion for cars, boats, motorcycles, and woodworking. At just 14 he bought his first car, a 1930 Model A Ford. (At 80, he would purchase and restore another 1930 Model A, which he dubbed his “COVID project.”) By 15, he had his first “real” motorcycle, a 650 Triumph. His love for woodworking flourished during his sophomore year at Mount Vernon High, where he built an 11-foot wooden boat in shop class. The boat was so admired that he built and sold several more, using the proceeds to buy new tools. By his senior year, he built an impressive 18-foot boat—the largest project the school shop had ever seen. Legend has it that a shop wall had to be removed to get it out of the building. That boat became the centerpiece of countless adventures on the Skagit River, Dry Slough, and the San Juan Islands.

At 18, David started working as a surveyor for the State Highway Department, helping to lay the groundwork for much of the I-90 pass and various sections and interchanges of I-5 from Marysville to Bellingham. On July 15, 1960, he married Alice Larson. At 24, they purchased a beautiful property on Conway Hill, where David began building their forever home. The boat he had built in high school was sold to pay off the last of a home loan to his Uncle LeRoy.

David and Alice’s family grew with the births of their sons, Dale in 1961, John in 1965, followed by the arrival of their daughter, Susan, in 1968. After 25 years with the State Highway Department, David retired early at age 43, eager to devote more time to his true passion—construction and woodworking. What started as a side project quickly blossomed into a thriving business, and David became a highly respected cabinetmaker. 

David had a deep love for fishing, spending many hours on the water, whether on the Skagit River, the San Juans, Active Pass, Tofino, or Sitka. He cherished the memories of trips with family and friends. Though he wasn't fond of airports, David and Alice made several trips to Maui, where they vacationed with family and friends. Their favorite way to travel, however, was in one of the many motorhomes they owned over the years. These motorhome adventures took them to the Midwest, Southwest, and to an annual family campout in Lake Chelan. Along the way, David and Alice would explore new areas on his beloved Harley Davidson, always towing it behind their RV.

Even after retiring a second time from his custom cabinet business, David continued to spend countless hours in his happy place—his shop. There, he created beautiful pieces of furniture and family heirlooms. He built custom rocking chairs, chess boards, chests, jewelry boxes, and many other treasures for his children and grandchildren, each piece a lesson in precision and perfection.

David was a humble man and never one to seek the spotlight. When his children would praise his work or list his many accomplishments, he would simply shrug and say, “So what?” He believed deeply in hard work, honesty, and living within one's means. Above all, he was fiercely proud of his family and loved spending time with them.

Over the last 30+ years, David faced numerous health challenges and surgeries, yet he always found a way to keep fighting. No matter the odds, he demonstrated an unbreakable spirit. To combat his health issues, David swam laps daily at the YMCA or Riverside Health Club. Even at 84, he swam nearly a mile a day in the pool, often being the first one through the door each morning.

In early October 2024, David received the news that there was no fixing his condition. Surrounded by his family, he shared stories, laughter, and love in his final days. David passed away peacefully in the home he had built, surrounded by the love of his family and the prayers of many friends.

David is survived by his faithful and caring wife of almost 65 years, Alice, sons Dale (Ali), John (Carrie), and daughter, Susan (Mark), 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandsons, and numerous “grand dogs”.  David was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Frances, brothers Thomas, Richard and Norman, and sister Isabel.

True to his humble nature, David did not wish for a funeral service. He was laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations be made to Hospice of the Northwest or the Ethan’s Smile Foundation in honor of David.