David Delmar Haughton

David Delmar Haughton, 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2026. During his final days, he was surrounded by family and friends. Born on December 13, 1931, in Hollywood, Florida, David grew up in West Palm Beach in a family anchored by his mother, Doris Vaverne (Greiner) Haughton (1901–1998), and his stepfather , Alfred C Haughton (1893 – 1973), who opened his optometry practice in 1926 in West Palm Beach, FL. David was the brother to Jean Haughton Lee (died Dec. 7, 1987) and his step sister Patricia Marie Wood (died March 1, 2008)

He is survived by his sons David Allan, Daniel Joseph, and Peter Lawrence, each of whom carries forward a part of him — his humor, his perspective, his stubbornness, his gentleness, but mostly his dry wit. David also leaves behind two grandchildren, Daniel and Andrea, the children of Daniel Joseph, who brought him pride, joy and many smiles always.

David’s legacy lives in the family he raised, the memories he shaped, and the quiet imprint he left on everyone who shared time with him. His long life was a testament to endurance, to family, and to the steady presence of a man who remained himself through every season and personal challenge. He was previously a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach.

His mother, Doris, moved the family from Hollywood to West Palm Beach when David was quite young. He attended grade school at Central Elementary and then Conniston Junior High School. During the war years of World War II years, he attended Graham Eckes College Preparatory school. He would ride his bicycle from the neighborhood of Golf View across the Royal Poinciana bridge and up to Graham Eckes as a day student. He then went to Hampden Dubose, Academy, in Zellwood, FL, where he graduated high school in the late 1940s. From there, he went to Bob Jones University and then onto the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN where he graduated with his degree as a Doctor of Optometry. He returned to West Palm Beach, and joined his stepfather, Alfred, in their optometry practice in the Harvey building. The reins were passed to David in 1953, and he practiced optometry in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach until his retirement five years ago at the age of 89.  He was active in the Lions club and in the Palm Beach Kiwanis club for more than 60 years. Everyone called him “Doc”. Although he provided vision care services for over 60 years to people from all walks of life throughout the Palm Beaches, he had no patients. They were all friends. When he retired, had the longest active optometric license in the state of Florida,

His hobbies were tennis, scuba diving, snorkeling, sports car racing and road trips up and down the eastern US seaboard on every road that was hard to find on a map. He enjoyed getting pleasantly lost as he considered that part of the fun. His favorite places were any of the Florida springs in the Ocala national Forest, the Appalachian Mountains, scuba diving off Palm Beach, and the sports car racetracks of Sebring, Daytona, International Speedway, and the Road Atlanta track in Braselton, GA. He was introduced to sports car racing by his friend, Briggs Cunningham, who he met while attending Graham Eckes. Since the late 50s, attending the major sports car races in the southeastern USA was a family affair, which was continued up until as recently as 5 years ago as a family event for Doc.

We are sad for his passing, but relieved and know that he was very much at peace with his eminent demise because he said so several times recently. Rest in peace, Dad.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Camp Ridgecrest Alumni & Friends, PO Box 4, Ridgecrest, NC 28770 or https://www.campridgecrestalumni.com/donations .