Larry David Morton
TEMPE – Larry David Morton, 79, of Tempe, Arizona passed away October 22, 2021.
Larry, a retired Assistant Area Office Manager for the Bureau of Reclamation, was born on January 9, 1942 in Kenosha, WI to Edward Francis and Marjorie Susan (Speaker) Morton.
He was a humble, kind, thoughtful, devoted husband, father, and friend to many. After moving to Arizona, he settled here for 66 years. He is survived by his partner in life and wife of 57 years, Carol; sons, Mark (Susan) of Lakewood, CO and Matthew of Tempe, AZ; sisters, Barbara of Sparks, NV and Patricia of Mesa, AZ; brother Craig of Gilbert, AZ; niece, Erica; nephews; David, Andrew and Luke.
Larry graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career with the Bureau of Reclamation in the Phoenix Development Office of Reclamation as a student engineer trainee 6 years before the Central Arizona Project’s congressional authorization. After being hired by Reclamation in 1965, he joined the planning staff that developed the justification for authorization of the Central Arizona Project. A key figure in all phases of the CAP, he helped revamp the original 1940s planning efforts and was integral to completion of the final constructions stages in the mid-1990s. His crowning achievement was his role in the planning program that came to be known as Plan 6 and the subsequent effort required to achieve the funding needed to move the plan – and the CAP – to completion after more than 30 years of public service.
Besides his love for family, friends, and Hannah, his black Lab, he was a faithful season ticket holder for ASU football, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s basketball even after moving into a wheelchair. The wheelchair was not an obstacle for going on several cruises especially enjoying those with his 1960 Mesa High School classmates. We will miss him so much.
No services are planned by his request. You may choose to honor Larry’s memory by making a donation to the ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY, 1521 W. Dobbins Road, P.O. Box 90610, Phoenix, AZ 85066-0610. Arrangements made by Tempe Mortuary.