David Winthrop Colton Jr.

David Winthrop Colton Jr. 

November 18, 1931 – March 29, 2022

David Winthrop Colton Jr., age 90, longtime resident of Boerne, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 2022, with his wife and daughters by his side.
Dave was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, on November 18, 1931, to David Winthrop and May Belle (Smith) Colton. He grew up in the northeast and graduated from Williston Academy in Northhampton, Massachusetts. He attained his business degree from the University of Omaha. 

Dave served as an Air Force officer from 1952-1972. His deployments included multiple reconnaissance missions as a master navigator against North Korea and Vietnam. He was stationed overseas with his family at Ashiya, Japan, Tachikawa, Japan, and Yokota, Japan. He participated in special operations missions from Kelly AFB, San Antonio. He also taught ROTC at Drake University for four years. 

After retiring from the Air Force, Dave began a new entrepreneurial career. He owned a peach orchard in Fredericksburg and a Baskin-Robbins franchise in Alamo Heights. Dave also ran three Texaco gas station franchises. He bought and sold real estate and managed his own investments.
He met the love of his life, Ina Claire “Dee” (nee Dixon), in San Antonio in February 1955. She was Miss Kelly AFB during Fiesta San Antonio in 1955. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married in Seguin on May 7, 1955. They have two daughters, Lynn Colton Hyvonen, born in San Antonio, and Darleen Colton Carstarphen, born in Tokyo, Japan. 

Dave and Dee would have celebrated their 67th anniversary next month. 

Dave had a heart as big as Texas and was also very generous and giving. He was a long-time member of the Alamo Heights Optimist Club, a CASA volunteer, did taxes for the elderly and delivered Meals on Wheels in San Antonio and Boerne, all reflective of his sincere wish to help the under privileged and underserved people and children of his community. First and foremost, he adored his wife and children andhis example will live on in the hearts of those who follow.
In addition to his wife Dee, Dave is survived by his daughters, Lynn (Chris) Hyvonen of Boerne and Darleen (Ed) Carstarphen of Houston. His grandchildren are Cole (Amber) Hyvonen, Alec (Casey) Hyvonen, Lucy Carstarphen (Mike) McCart and Desi (Jeroen) Djikema. He also proudly has five great-grandchildren, all of whom he met and spent time with before his passing. They range in age from 14 years to 9 months: Ananya Brinton, Harper Hyvonen, Catherine McCart, Colton Hyvonen and Danica Hyvonen. 

Dave is also survived by his sister, Betty Jane Wislar of Austell, Georgia; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Darleen and Bill Welty of Greensboro, Georgia; along with eight nieces and their families. His beloved golden retriever, Tessa, also survives him to watch over Dee and keep her company until she joins him in heaven. 

A special thank you to Lillia Almaguer who has become part of the family as helper, companion, and caregiver.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at the Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home on April 22, 2022, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to the charity of your choice. 

To leave condolences for the family and to view a video of Dave’s life, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com.Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne.