David Santiago Cauton
August 1, 1939 – April 8, 2023
David Santiago Cauton, the son of Santiago & Edith Cauton, was born on August 1, 1939, in Minneapolis, MN and passed away at home in Mesa, AZ surrounded by his family, on April 8, 2023.
Dave graduated from Minneapolis Vocational High School in 1957. He entered the Army in 1959 and served 36 months in Germany before his honorable discharge in 1962. He achieved the rank of E5 Sergeant and was extremely proud of his military service to our country.
Dave married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Ellis on May 4, 1963. They settled in northeast Minneapolis where Dave took a job with the United States Postal Service. Dave and Carolyn raised their two boys, Dan and John, in “Northeast” and stayed there until 1978 when the family moved to Kansas City, MO and Dave began his second career in the apparel business. Throughout the years, he traveled KS, MO, NE, & IA making a group of lifelong friends along the way.
Embracing their love of the outdoors, Dave and Carolyn bought a summer cabin in 1981 on Lake of the Ozarks and in 1998 moved to the lake area full time. Over the years in both Laurie and Sunrise Beach they built another fabulous circle of friends. During this chapter, Dave worked as a rural mail carrier and later a marshal at the Indian Rock Golf Course where he and Carolyn spent many years perfecting their golf game.
Dave and Carolyn started their Arizona “snowbirding” chapter in 2002 when they settled into The Good Life Resort in Mesa. As no one would question, they immersed themselves in this community. Dave was quick to play poker, shoot pool, take up woodworking, sing karaoke, join Carolyn line dancing, perform at talent shows or just gather with folks from their expanding circle of friends. Dave was the light of any room he walked into; friends and family knew things were about to kick up a notch when Dave was around. Whether it was a joke, an accent, a funny story, or a retelling of one of the thousands of good times shared over the years camping, fishing, golfing or boating – everyone knew their day was about to be a lot brighter.
Here’s to you Chico. You were loved by many and will be missed by all.
Dave is survived by the love of his life of 59 years, Carolyn, sons Dan (Tamara) Cauton and John (Holly) Cauton of Kansas City, MO, granddaughters Audrey Cauton and Christina Cauton, siblings Dolores “Dodo” Martin, Nick Espiritu, Cindy Espiritu all of Minneapolis, sister-in-law Kathy Ocel of Soldotna, AK and a host of nieces and nephews who he treasured.
Dave was preceded in death by his bother Leland Espiritu, his parents Santiago Cauton, Edith & Amborse Espiritu, sister Janice O’Braske, brothers-in-law Tom (Kathy) Ocel and Bill (Dodo) Martin, niece Amy (Ocel) Thomas and grandson Jack Cauton.
A memorial service to be planned later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley at: https://www.hov.org/donate/donate-now/
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I will miss you. You brought a lot of joy to our lives. I loved your stories and shenanigans that made everyone laugh and love you. You are the kindest man I have ever known. You will be missed by all of us who had the opportunity to know you.
Dave was a wonderful friend and we have many wonderful memories that we will always cherish.
Love you Dave
We will sure miss you Dave. We only had 6 months living next door to you and Carolyn but we will cherish that smile and that wave as you took off in your golf cart. So glad we were given this opportunity to know you. Give ‘em hell Dave and known we all miss you.
Beautiful obituary about Dave’s wonderful life. He was a joy to be around. He always had a fun remark to share with others. He made so many people laugh with his acts at Good Life and his humor. Dave was a wonderful neighbor and friend. We will miss him so much, but never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carolyn, Dan, John and all the family. Hugs to you all.
Dave will be hugely missed! So many amazing stories, amazing humor, amazing in so many ways. I am glad he is not suffering and I will never forget the memories of knowing him. My sincere condolences to Carolyn, the sons and the families.
So sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave was always friendly and had a sweet smile. We got to know you on Wednesday nights, at karaoke. God Bless your family It was a pleasure to meet both of you Lorraine and Frank Duquette
Dave was a real showman and made everyone happy. He had a wonderful skill making fried chicken in a cast iron skillet.
He will be sadly missed by so many.
David will be missed. Sending my love and prayers to everyone in your Dan.
Simply thinking of you brings joy to my heart and that joyful smile will never disappear. We all miss you.
Carolyn you have our sympathy and prayers. We had so much fun with you and Dave at Good Life! Love to you and your family.
Lynne and Chips
Heaven surely brightened up a notch when Dave walked through the gates with his big smile and a twinkle in his eye. That said, those of who knew him lost a great man. He will be missed by his neighbors on 23rd Street in GoodLife.
Uncle David always had a smile on his face and was always happy! My wife Cathy, my brother Ron and sister in law Bobbi were on a vacation one time driving through Kansas and we deceided to pop in on Aunt Carolyn and Uncle David. David was in the ladies apparel business and told Cathy and Bobbi to go through all the hundreds of dress and pick one out to take home. Cathy and Bobbi were like a kid in a candy shop going through all those dresses looking for the right dress to take home. We had no intentions of staying the night but Carolyn and David insisted we stay over the night and we even played golf the next day. I’m betting David is shooting close to par up in heaven right now. We will miss him dearly.
I enjoyed seeing Dave at Good Life as he and Carolyn always dressed for the events so we got to appreciate them so much. He definitely brightened up our park and he was loved by so many. Really loved his Tinkerbell Halloween costume! So sorry he left us so soon. Huge hugs to Carolyn and family. Cherish the memories.
We played golf with Dave for several years and enjoyed his on going Wit! He was always so easy going, no matter how his game was progressing! That ever present smile made the day so much better. Carolyn and family know that we are thinking of you and that he was a well loved person.
Dave aka “Mr. C” to some of us way back when, we will miss you for your big smile, kind heart , and many words of wisdom. My family sends love and prayers.
Your life was a blessing to all who met you and a continuous pleasure being a friend, but I never was able to get that darn recipe from you! Feel the hugs, Carolyn❤️
We used to play with him in the afternoons and in the summertime. David had a neighbor who had a small 8 hole golf course and we used to play golf day and after day. David was a great friend and we had a lot of fun. We so sorry to hear the news. Our prayers are with you. Take care
My sincere sympathy to Carolyn and family. We all have good memories of you together and I especially loved hearing the fun and laughter you and Dave shared next door with Ken and Vi.
I got to know Dave and Carolyn from backyard pool parties their son Dan would have in KC. Dave would always make a point to say hi to me and call me by my nickname “Web” He brought a smile to my face as I always felt so comfortable around Dan’s dad who would call me Web with a big smile on his face as well. Dave invited myself, his son Dan and another one of Dan’s friends Kevin to all come play golf at Indian Rock GC in the Ozarks. Dave was so proud of his son Dan that he introduced all of us to his coworkers and took very good care of us on “The Rock” Dave you are a special man and will be greatly missed by many.
Dave & I are so sorry to hear of the loss of our friend, David. Please know all the memories we made during our apparel days & after will never be forgotten. Way to many great, fun times!
Love to all. Dave & Judy Blankenship
So many wonderful memories of David and Carolyn together.
David was so much fun! We were so lucky to get to be in his company!
Wonderful, kind, loving, happy, smart, the best!
Our ski trip together, with all of you, was epic!
Our hearts go out to Carolyn, Dan and John.
HE WILL BE MISSED by so many!
Love,
Dick and Cindy