John David Fulton

A celebration of the life of John David Fulton will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at Hayhurst Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. John passed away on Monday, August 1, 2016. He was 67. John David Fulton, was born March 19, 1949 as the first child to Robert H. Jr and Lena Fulton in Muskogee, Oklahoma. After a very difficult birth, David was saved by the grace of a catholic nun. Little did anyone know that it would be years before we learned that the oxygen starved parts of his brain would have caused so much damage to his speech and learning skills. As with many others who suffer from the various limitations of Cerebral Palsey and Aphasia, David had, as well as learning disabilities, some very specialized personality skills. His joy at running and playing matched or surpassed any other child. His attention to detail and memory were astounding. While he never acquired the ability and vocabulary to speak as others he seemed to understand almost everything said to him and he could be one of the first to laugh at a joke, and you knew he got it. David grew up in a loving family who included him in everything. He followed others off the diving board at the pool, even before he learned to swim. He water-skiied, even though he was sitting on his father’s shoulders. He played cowboys and Indians. He loved dogs. He did finger-painting, he helped cook and clean up the kitchen. He was a Boy Scout and earned merit badges. He worked and was fortunate to have programs which allowed him to find self worth by being paid. He was always proud to show you the two dollars he received at the end of a day. David loved his family and knew he was loved. I think David helped us all understand that love, and how very, very lucky we all were to have him with us. David suffered not only from his learning and speech disability but also lost his hearing from a series of surgeries to remove tumors in his head. Along with his hearing he lost his balance and his ability to “go to work” became much more difficult. While he kept trying for a number of years eventually, after a number of falls and injuries, he could no longer work. Thankfully, David was able to be placed in a home where dedicated staff workers provided a safe and caring environment. David had a very limited vocabulary and spoke less and less after loosing his hearing, except to ask for “pie”. Then as a result of a difficult hospitalization and insertion of a feeding tube he could not even enjoy his pie, but he still asked for it. Sadly, David’s physical limitations progressed to the state that his staff and doctors could no longer sustain him. We lost David this past Monday. He has gone on to join his other friends and family as he would say - “gone, up there” as he pointed towards heaven. David will be missed by many, and remembered as a kind and loving son, brother and friend. Memorials may be made to Heritage United Methodist at 5300 E. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow, OK 74014. John is survived by, Father, Bob Fulton, Jr., Broken Arrow, OK Mother, Lena Fulton, Muskogee, OK Brother, Bob Fulton and wife Cheryl, Southport, NC

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John David Fulton

March 19, 1949 - August 2, 2016