David Ray Wurtenberg

David Ray Wurtenberg was born June 21, 1962 in Sayre, Pennsylvania to Hilda (Rising) and Raymond Wurtenberg. He died at the VA Medical Center, Oklahome City, OK on November 12, 2013. He was 51 years old. David was raised in Newark Valley,and graduated from Newark Valley High School. He attended BOCES studying and training in culinary arts and then enlisted in the US Army. His skills were quickly place into use in the food service program. David served for ten years and during this tenure he was the recipient of many awards including the Army Accommodation Medal with one Oak Leaf, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaves, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm and was only thirty miles from Bagdad when the military withdrawl was started from Iraq. He also served in several stateside assignments including Fort Sill. Following his leave from the military he continued serving soldiers by becoming the building manager of the Block House while also working for Cantu Service and Swansons. He was an avid bowler (highest score 298/805) and enjoyed golfing and woodworking. David was a member of the former Speedsville-Newark Valley Masonic Lodge 265. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda Wurtenberg and his brother, John Wurtenberg(Vietnam).David is survived by his father, Ray Wurtenberg, of San Angelo, TX; three sisters, Marjore Purple and her husband Paul, of Newark Valley, NY, Mary Lou Katchuk and her husband Edward, of Whitney Point, NY, and Jane Wurtenberg, of San Angelo, TX; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Wright and her husband Richard, of Berkshire, NY.; his companion, Latasha Johnson, of the home; the mother of his children, Marcia Kay Wurtenberg, of Lawton; daughter, LaShonda Wurtenberg, of Lawton; step-son, Kenard Swearengin, of Lawton; step-daughter, Alizae Johnson, of Lawton; four grandchildren, Davonta Wurtenberg, Jaylin Wurtenberg, Kiren Mitchell, and Ka'niya Jackson, all of Lawton. He also has many loving family members, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. In lieu of flowers the family request a donation be made in David's name to Shriners Hospitals, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 David's family will receive friends at the MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2012 from 2-4 PM. Please share your memories and condolences in his guest book at macphersonfh.com