Dalton Hartwell Loftin

Dalton Hartwell Loftin passed into heaven to meet Our Lord and Savior on December 11, 2025. He was ninety-four years old. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Loftin and Lila Dare Pollock Loftin.

Dalton grew up in Trenton, N.C. and was one of nine children, all of whom passed away before him. His siblings were Frances, Raeford, Colin, Gavin, Clarice, Louise, Marion and Garland.

Dalton was married in 1953 to the late Emma Sue Larkins and they had five children: Johnny (Sarah), Hugh, Polly Sue (Max), Bill and Nancy.

In 1996, Dalton married Marilyn “Judy” McLamb. Judy has three daughters and one son: Christy (Chris), Amy (Len), Julie (Mark) and Jason. Dalton and Judy have been blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dalton earned two degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a B.S. in Business and a Juris Doctorate. He was also a veteran of the United States Army. Following law school in 1959, Dalton went to work in Hillsborough, N.C. for Bonner Sawyer and they practiced law together for eleven years. He went on to found Loftin & Loftin, where he practiced law together with his son, Johnny, for 15 years. His grandson, John II, practices alongside his father today, continuing Dalton’s legacy.

Dalton wore many hats and was very active in civic and community affairs. He taught Sunday School at the Hillsborough United Methodist Church for thirty years. He was President of the Hillsborough Historical Society and a member of The Gideons, Exchange Club, the Wildlife Club and the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce. He coached the first integrated little league baseball team in Hillsborough and served with Richard Whitted, Richard Simpson, Marion Clark and Marshall Cates on a grassroots, biracial committee in 1965 to facilitate the harmonious integration of Orange County Schools.

A husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, lawyer and citizen, Dalton was most of all, a humble servant to Christ Jesus. He loved the Lord and was a very devout, practicing Christian. His happiness and serenity was evident as he faced death, recognizing life eternal springs anew upon reunion with God.

His humility, kindness, compassion, wisdom and love positively influenced the lives of almost everyone he knew.

He fought the good fight. He finished the race.