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/