Ajijic resident David Clarke Netherton died at his home on October 14 at the age of 76.
Born January 20, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, Netherton was a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit. A professional engineer, he worked in the meat packing industry all of his working life, with 18 patents relating to that process.
He and his wife Susan moved to Ajijic in 2006 from Harvard, Illinois. Netherton had been a Rotarian for 17 years in the United States and continued his association with that organization at Lakeside until 2009. He was a member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church and was a volunteer at the Tepehua Community Center and was one of the founding members of the Ajijic Polo Club.
He had great passion for antique cars and trains. He donated his garden railway and trains to the Axixic Shrine Club that has made a project of having the miniature train installed at the Chapala train station. His book, “The Garden Railway at the Ferrocarril de Chapala Train Station” that includes a history of the trains to Chapala and the garden railway project, will be published when the project is finished.
Netherton is survived by his wife of 22 years, Susan Jane Netherton, and four daughters: Martha Ross of Royal Oaks, Michigan; Leanne Smith of West, Texas; Andrea Baladad of Dallas, Texas and Nancy Alden of Branford, Florida. He also had two step-daughters, Pamela Milburn of Palatine, Illinois and Carla Sandersfeld of Island Lake, Illinois.
His sister, Karen Remmy, lives in Traverse City, Michigan. He had nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
His family plans a memorial service on his birthday, January 20, 2013 at the Chapala Railroad Station (Gonzalez Gallo Cultural Center).
In lieu of flowers, Netherton’s family suggests donations to the Axixic Shrine Club for the completion of the train project.