David Lee Fulton, 88 of Springfield, passed away on May 1, 2024, at his home after a short battle with cancer.
He was born on October 21, 1935 in Iowa City, IA. Following graduation from High School and one year of college, he enlisted in the Army. In the Army, Dave worked with military intelligence and served in Korea. Following his honorable discharge he accessed the G.I. Bill and became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
Dave pursued his lifelong love of nature and conservation by obtaining a degree in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University in 1961. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he designed and developed many of the campgrounds and hiking trails in the Mark Twain National Forest. Dave was passionate about spreading his knowledge, so it was fitting that he transitioned from the U.S. Forest Service to being a Conservation teacher at Graff Vocational-Technical School (e.g. Ozarks Technical College).
As a teacher, he served as a role model and mentor to many students. His forestry and soils teams won multiple FFA state contests and competed regularly at Nationals. In 2006 Dave was awarded an Honorary State FFA degree by the Missouri FFA Association. After retirement from teaching he worked with numerous contractors and colleagues in designing septic systems to ensure a supply of safe drinking water for many homes and businesses. Dave was a member of Wesley Methodist Church, where he co-taught an adult Sunday School class, served on the hospitality team and member of a Life group. He was also a member of Solomon Lodge 271-Springfield and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers Paul and Lawrence Fulton. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his high school sweetheart and love of his life for 67 years, and his sons: Dr. Brian (Donna) Fulton, Dr. Mike (Katy) Fulton, Neil Fulton, and Tim (Kristine) Fulton. He has 5 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Saturday, June 29th. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m. with a service to follow. He will be interned at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Workshop Foundation, 2835 W. Bennett, Springfield, MO 65802.
The Fulton Family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the many prayers and acts of kindness expressed in the past months.