David R. Lighthall

David R. Lighthall, 61, formerly of Lawton, died after an 18-month struggle with cancer on Sept. 21, 2015, at his home in Fresno, Calif.
Private graveside services will be in Banner Township Cemetery, Lawton. The community is invited to honor David's memory with fellowship and a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Community Presbyterian Church in Lawton. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
David was born on Nov. 14, 1953. David earned a PhD in geography at the University of Iowa. While teaching at Colgate University in New York, he researched toxic exposures and health outcomes in rural communities. Moving to California, he served as executive director of the California Institute for Rural Studies where his reports on farm worker health led to acclaim in medical research circles. He moved to Fresno and became research coordinator for the Relational Culture Institute, continuing his work on improving the health of rural residents.
As the senior scientist at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, his research resulted in tightening wood burning rules in the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most polluted areas of the country. In 2009, he became the health science adviser to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. While there, he helped develop an online resource to help individuals and school children avoid the worst outdoor toxic air exposures.
Not only an environmental scientist, David was a consummate athlete. Accomplishing many bicycling achievements, he often bested much younger riders in cyclocross competitions and long distance rides. He was an avid follower of the Tour de France. David lived his life with integrity, bravery, and compassion and used his analytic skills to search for ways to create healthy and equitable environments for people.
He is survived by his wife, Mina; their daughters, Erica King (Nathan), Alicia, (fiance, Patrick Tackett), Ashley, and Emily Prathaftakis; his mother, Rosemary; and sisters, Susan Ackelson (Mark) and Joyce Howard (Randy).
He was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Lighthall in December 1998; and his father, Lloyd in October 2010.