John G. Dalton

News Death Notice

DALTON, John G. 77 of Beavercreek, OH died January 1, 2010 at Hospice of Dayton. He was born January 30, 1932 in Mill Springs, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank Yates and Fannie Alberta and his brother, William Dalton, sister Peggy Everage and their spouses, as well as his loving wife of 50 years, Barbara Ramsay Dalton. He is survived by his daughter Claudia C. Ramsay and her husband James Miles, his daughter Diane Dalton Sefton and her husband Dr. John C. Sefton and his four beloved grandchildren Nicholas Midgley, Lauren C. Sefton, J. Grant Sefton and Holly A. Sefton, in addition to two nephews and four first cousins. John entered the Air Force after graduating from Mill Springs High School in 1950. He graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officer's Academy. He served 28 years in the Air Force in numerous advisory capacities including a tour in Wiesbaden, Germany, Vietnam and multiple other military bases concluding his career at Wright Patterson Air Force Base where he served as Senior Enlisted Advisor to six different Wing Commanders. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star for duty in Vietnam, the German Occupation Medal and the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. He was also selected as one of the Air Force outstanding airmen of the year in 1968. After retirement, Chief Dalton became the Executive Director of the Fairborn Chamber of Commerce in 1979. He received special recognition from Greene Country commissioners and the city of Fairborn for his many achievements. He was selected as Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July parade in 1985 and again in 2001. He devoted his life to serving and promoting the city of Fairborn, Greene County, Wright State University and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Chief Dalton was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He received numerous citations and awards from local, regional and national leaders. John was recognized by Governor Strickland for his role in the recent passage of a law exempting military personnel from Ohio taxes. The Fairborn Chamber office building which he was instrumental in constructing was named in his honor in 1991. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at Burcham's Funeral Home at 119 East Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324, followed by a brief service honoring his life. There will be a military graveside service at Fairfield Cemetery,720 Clover Street, Fairborn, OH, on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at 10:00 am by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Fairborn High School ROTC Program for scholarships to students who plan to attend Wright State University. Online condolences can be made for the family at www.burchamfuneralhome.com.