Don Dalton

1956 - 2024

Don Dalton

1956 - 2024

- This world lost Don L. Dalton on June 9, 2024. He was affectionately referred to as "The Don" by many of his family and friends. Don was born July 3, 1956, in Logan, Utah. He was the first of four children born to Van L. Dalton and Juleen Burr, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by Brandon L. Dalton (son), Nikole Dalton (daughter), Delle Northcutt (granddaughter), sisters DeAnn Erickson (Dave Erickson), Darleen Dalton (Kenton Douglas), brother David Leo Dalton, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

"Life is Good"

Don grew up in Murray, Utah, he considered Murray "The Center of the Universe". In his early years he often visited his grandparents in Annabella, Utah where he learned his passion for survival, adventure, and love of being outdoors. Don graduated from Murray High School in 1974.

In 1978 Don married Collette Suzanne Haun, together they had 2 children Brandon and Nikole. After their separation Don and Collette worked well together to provide both a caring mother and father relationship to them both.

Don later spent many happy years as a partner in life to Diane. They lived together with her 2 sons Jake and Kyle at their home in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. For periods of time Brandon and Nikole were both welcomed to live with them all together as teenagers and young adults.

"We Have Options, Options Are Good"

Don was immensely proud of Brandon and Nikole. He loved to point-out the many lessons he taught them in their younger years that went on to provide them with the knowledge, experience, and confidence for them to be able to recognize all the options available to them in their lives. He preached the value of being willing to "take-a-chance" to get what you truly want. He had only just begun to teach these lessons over again to his granddaughter Delle.

He felt fortunate to not only have them as his family, but they were his best friends. Everything from teaching them how to change a spare-tire, to fixing a broken sprinkler-head, or going to the bank and getting a loan on their own. Sometimes they really didn't always want to learn some of those lessons, but he wasn't ever just going to "do it for you". Even if it meant sitting on the bucket and watching.

"Rope is Your Friend, Don't Cut It"

Don worked for years in construction and building maintenance, leveraging the skills and lessons passed on to him by his father and grandfather. Don spent his life advocating his skills to all around him and to those who would listen (for long enough). He then took up his lifelong career at the Chevron Salt Lake Refinery from 1991, retiring in 2017 after 26 years. Don had an affinity for high quality gasoline! He developed lifelong friendships there and endeared himself to his co-workers who treated him like family and continued so many of those friendships until his final days.

"Nope, I Think I'll Do it My Way"

"The Don" was a bold, outspoken, and thrill-seeking individual. His wanderlust knew no bounds. He yearned for the outdoors, the open road, and any vehicle that delivered him to the peace he found there. Whether on his beloved motorcycles, skis, boats, trucks or motorhome, Don was already packed and ready to go.

Don always showed up - but he always did so in his way. Always for a good time, but inevitably through some tough times too. Moments big and small or whenever anyone needed a hand or some hefty long-winded advice. He made long lasting friendships wherever he went as a result. You would be hard-pressed to find a nook or cranny in any place where Don didn't know someone!

"Guess What I Can Do? Anything I Want"

Lake Powell was a special space for him, and he lived for weeks at a time in its narrow canyons. He had a passion for skiing and soccer, which developed his strong competitive spirit and teamwork values that he passed to his family and friends through his many articulated memories, stories, and quotes, that he repeated often.

"Who's Going? Bo-fus? All-fus?"

Don made nearly everyone he met feel welcome and at ease and always included everyone he could on what he did. All of us or "all-fus" was how he lived. We're now in this together - whatever the outcome! He would jump at the chance to snag that last piece of food off your plate if you were going to let it go to waste and was never bashful about asking for extra sauce.

Don found pleasure in the simplicity of life and often scoffed at anything pre-planned or with rules. He loved to break the rules, and you could easily see his boyish energy and excitement in his eyes when he did.

"I Know a Little Bar Down This Road"

Don loved to travel and prided himself in "off the beaten path" knowledge you can't learn but through experience, of which he was rich. He rode hundreds of thousands of miles around the country following his curiosity that led him to the remote reaches of wherever he would visit, and his detours of "this little bar down the road" proved his curiousity and exploring nature. Through his personalized experiences he found some of his most beloved friends and considered those who went adventuring with him as family.

"Do You Miss Me?"

Yup, and we sure are going to, as no one can replace "The Don"! Yahhhhhh!

Several Remembrance Open Houses will be held at The Don's home in Murray, Utah. All are invited to come share your memories, hang out in his garage, look at his collection of stuff, laugh at some of his pictures and just remember him with us. Stop by for a quick visit or stay for a while, whichever suites you best, we would be happy to have you.

The Don's
4669 S. Rainbow Dr., Murray, Utah 84107


Sunday, June 30, 2024 - 4:00pm-8:00pm
Monday, July 1, 2024 – 4:00 -8:00pm
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 – 4:00-8:00pm


We are also planning ""The Don of Don's Hurrah"" on July 3, what would have been his 68th birthday. We will have music, food and drinks hosted at a warehouse nearby his home. Some brief thoughts and memories will be shared by a few of the many important people in his life, but the focus will be on being together and remembering The Don.



The Don of Don's Hurrah
360 W. 6100 S., Murray, Utah 84107


Wednesday, July 3, 2024 - 4:00pm-8:00pm


Many will be riding a motorcycle procession from nearby his home to the nearby warehouse. KICKSTANDS UP AT 3:30pm! All are welcome to join in the procession or meet us at the warehouse. If you would like to participate in the procession, please RSVP at the link provided. Details on the procession will be emailed to you after you RSVP.


RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/241724403861150