David Hodges Stratton

1927 - 2023

Olympia - Dr. David Hodges Stratton, PhD
David Hodges Stratton died peacefully, after a brief illness on May 26, 2023, in Olympia Washington. He was surrounded by the love of family. He was born on January 6, 1927, to Sam and Lottie Stratton in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He joined an older brother Sam "Jack" Stratton, making their family complete. He was an amazing son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, professor, mentor, and friend.
David grew up in Tucumcari helping out with the chores on his Grandfather's wheat farm and he also assisted the Huggins family in building The Blue Swallow. He often called it an ideal childhood. David served in the military from 1945 – 1947, first as a sailor and purser in the US Merchant Marine Cadet Core and then in the occupation forces of Japan as a military policeman and as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne.
He was married to Wanda Stratton Cummings of Portales in 1949. They were married for 63 years and had three children. He attended ENMU for his BA and then The University of Colorado for his master's degree and PhD in History. He taught at Baylor University for six years, The University of Wyoming for one year, and at Washington State University for forty years. He was chairman of the History Department there from 1979-1985. He served on many state committees and spoke at many historical gatherings. He published many journal articles, edited many books, and published the definitive work on Albert B. Fall and the Teapot Dome scandal: "Tempest Over Teapot Dome "in 1998. He wrote and published a book about the Tree Top Fruit Company in 2010. In 2022 at the age of 95, he published: "Tucumcari Tonite! The Waning of a Western Town" with the University of New Mexico Press. This was a work of love and the history of his beloved hometown and the fate of many towns like it. He was working on his memoirs when he died.
David's last four and a half years were lived in Olympia, Washington near his daughter Nancy and her family. He was an important part of their family, and that time is treasured. He always said he fulfilled the family mission of his ancestors, to travel west, from Tennessee to the Pacific Ocean when he moved here. He will be remembered for his resilience in the face of adversity, his humor, his love of history and his interest in whatever anyone he was talking to was interested in. He was a people person and loved to hear their stories. He will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his daughter Nancy Stratton Hall and her three children: Zachary, Kelsey, and Aaron; His daughter-in -law Cheryl Stratton and her two children: Candice Haskins and Shaun (Marissa) Stratton and by his great grandchildren: Aria and Ben Haskins, and Lilje, Josiah, Annabel, and Henry Stratton. He is also survived by two sister-in laws, and many nieces and nephews for whom he cared deeply.
David is preceded in death by his parents Sam and Lottie Stratton, his brother Sam Stratton, his wife Wanda, his son Michael, and his son Scott.
A celebration of life will be held on July 22, 2023, at 2:30 at The Rivers Edge Restaurant in Tumwater Washington. A zoom link can be provided for those unable to attend by contacting this email: davidhstrattonphd@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people donate to a memorial fund for a park bench in Pullman, Washington at Sunnyside Park. Checks can be made out to: Stratton Memorial Fund c/o Nancy Hall and sent to Nancy Hall 1420 Thomas Street NW, Olympia, WA 98502