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Private memorial services along with a viewing of the body of John Morton, who was a workers’ compensation claims supervisor at Risk Enterprise Management/Tristar Risk Management in Brea, California, at the time of his death a week ago last Sunday, June 10th, will take place tomorrow morning, June 20th, at McAulay and Wallace Mortuary in Fullerton, California. 

The service is private and by invitation only.  But the family of John Morton has expressed that friends, colleagues, and any persons may express their condolences through the sending of cards and flowers to McAulay and Wallace Mortuary at 902 No. Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, California 92832.    John’s parents who survive him are Burton Morton, his father, and Leslie Morton, his mother, of Fullerton, California.   John is also survived by his brother, Paul, who is about 30 years of age, and who stated by phone today he had just arrived in Fullerton to his parents’ home from elsewhere. 

John Morton, who was 33 years old, died by suicide as a result of a self-inflicted gun shot wound.    Why he took his own life is not known.   His mother, Leslie Morton, did not indicate that any note had been left or that anyone had any information as to what the reason and motivation was behind her son’s suicide. 

“I don’t even want to speculate,” Leslie Morton told this writer this evening by telephone.  “I’m as shocked as a person can be." 

When this writer pressed the point to Leslie Morton as to whether there was any indication that John was distressed or depressed or unable to cope with his life in any manner, she said, “I don’t know.  It’s such a mystery.  I wish somebody would tell me what happened.” 

The further pressing of the question as to why John’s suicide was such a mystery, what may have been the reason, and what subtle clues, however infinitismally subtle, may have been communicating something… anything… that may have driven John to take his own life, Leslie Morton said, “I have no idea.”

John Morton grew up in Fullerton, California, and graduated from Troy High School in 1996.  He attended Cal State University Fullerton.  On his Facebook page, he stated he was in the Class of 2003.  He bought a house in 2007 in Placentia, California, and ostensibly was living there at the time of his death. 

He stated on his Facebook page that he was getting divorced in early 2010.   He posted on January 30th 2010, “Well, the divorce is getting finalized. Wife moving out 2/1.” 

According to John’s mother, John had a very nice girlfriend at the time of his death: Claudia Lozada. He was in a committed relationship with her, but according to his mother—contrary to what this writer wrote on June 15th—he was not engaged to be married.  He simply had this very nice girlfriend, Claudia, and was ostensibly very happy in the relationship. 

John Morton started his career in workers’ compensation claims adjusting at CNA Insurance Company most likely just around the turn of the 21st Century or shortly thereafter. He worked in the Brea CNA office but is also known to have worked in the CNA San Francisco office.  By 2007, John was still working for CNA when he went to Hawaii to receive his CPCU designation.  

“He was very proud of his CPCU,” his mother said.

John then left CNA Insurance after getting his CPCU and went to SRS (Specialty Risk Services) in Brea.  He became proficient at handling Medicare set-aside cases, and as a result, he handled many of the larger exposure claims that involved Medicare issues.  

One of John’s colleagues during his SRS days, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated in writing this evening, “During 2007-2010-ish, John was working at SRS/Brea on the Albertson's account. He was an excellent senior adjuster.” 

This same colleague stated in a subsequent email, “I think the tragedy of John's shortened life and his wasted potential is disheartening for anyone who knew him. He was definitely the sort of personality you would not forget and most cannot help but to like him. If you didn't, then it could be that you might get put off by the fact that he was probably much smarter than the average person.”

John’s mother also commented on her son’s remarkable intelligence.  When asked if she made any comments such as had been reported earlier, by this writer, on June 15th, according to reports that came out of REM in Brea, that quoted her as stating, “Don’t ask me that question.  My son would never do that.  He gave his life for this company.”  She denied ever saying any such thing.

John Morton moved to REM in Brea about a year ago, or a little longer ago, from SRS in Brea in order to take on a supervisor’s position.  Thus, he left SRS for REM around the time of-- or a little bit after-- the purchase of SRS by Sedgwick. 

Leslie Morton admitted that she went to REM in Brea on Tuesday, June 12th 2012 with a Police escort, but only to pick up her son’s personal effects.  She denied ever having a meeting with management as had been told to this writer and subsequently reported on June 15th, and she denied ever saying anything about any reason or motivation for her son’s suicide.

Leslie Morton insists that she never said anything to anybody at REM/Tristar.   She stated tonight that she merely got her son’s belongings, which consisted of some books, a stereo, and some plants.  And a few chains.  But she was pretty uncommunicative when she went there and, dumbfoundedly, has no insight into any motivation behind her son’s suicide. 

Henceforth, it appears clear here after my interview tonight with this mother of John Morton, that she never implied or insinuated that she believed her son’s suicide was caused by any problems at his work or from any fear that he ever expressed to her that he was going to possibly be fired.  John Morton never expressed anything to her.

Leslie Morton has asked other persons since the date of her son’s suicide if they have any insight or clue into the reason for John’s taking of his own life, and all of them, according to Leslie, have said they have no insight and no clue. 

About five days before his death, John Morton spoke to his mother, which was around Tuesday, June 5th.  He inquired after her health, as she had not been feeling well, and by all indications, he was his normal self.   Leslie Morton felt no indication that anything was amiss with her son.  He seemed his usual self-- normal and well. 
 
Under Philosophy, Quotations, on his Facebook page, John Morton wrote, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”  --Gandhi