Tucumcari history book author dies at 96

David Stratton, a Tucumcari native who a year ago published arguably the definitive historical book about his hometown, died May 26 in Olympia, Washington, after a short illness. He was 96.

In 2022, he published: "Tucumcari Tonite! The Waning of a Western Town" with the University of New Mexico Press.

The book contained abundant research typical of Stratton's background as a history professor, plus his personal memories of Tucumcari - including the first owners of the landmark Blue Swallow Motel, built in 1939.

"This was a work of love and the history of his beloved hometown and the fate of many towns like it," his obituary stated.

During a phone interview with the Quay County Sun in March 2022, Stratton said he began research on his Tucumcari book 20 years before.

"The writing of it was a lot of fun," he said in a phone interview from his home in Olympia. "It brought back a lot of memories. Whether it was published or not, I still got a lot of enjoyment out of it."

Stratton said in his book and during the interview the railroad pulling up stakes in Tucumcari, plus the interstate that bypassed Route 66, became a "double whammy" for the city economically that still reverberates decades later.

While pleased he finally published his Tucumcari book, Stratton regrettably could not embark on a tour to publicize it, including at his hometown.

"I used to get back there every two to three years, but I'm in failing health now," he said. "I like the Rattler Reunion; that's a nice gathering. I believe it's the biggest reunion in the state. I don't know how often I'll get there now."

According to his obituary, Stratton was working on his memoirs when he died.

He attended Eastern New Mexico University, then the University of Colorado for his master's degree and Ph.D in history. He taught at Baylor, University of Wyoming and Washington State University and was chairman of the latter's history department for six years.

In addition to "Tucumcari Tonite," he published "Tempest Over Teapot Dome," an account of Albert B. Fall and the Teapot Dome scandal of the early 1920s.

Stratton lived the last 4 1/2 years of his life in Olympia, near his daughter Nancy and her family. He is survived by her and her three children, a daughter-in-law, two sisters-in-law and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is scheduled for July 22 at the Rivers Edge Restaurant in Tumwater, Washington.