Name: Visitation for Leonard "Dale" Elton
Start: 2023-04-14T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-04-14T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Larkin Mortuary - Salt Lake City

Leonard "Dale" Elton

1935 - 2023

Leonard "Dale" Elton was born to Alfred and Eleanor Elton on October 25, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dale died on April 7, 2023 at the age of 87 in Bountiful, Utah due to complications related to frontal-temporal lobe dementia. He married his wife of 65 years, Janis, on July 29, 1957 and had two children, Bret and Kathy Elton.

Dale was an avid skier and loved to ski at Alta Ski Resort. He was a long-distance runner and completed many marathons during his running career. He loved to collect coins and also enjoyed collecting salt and pepper shakers. Dale spent many hours camping, fishing, and riding motorcycles with family and friends and was always up for an adventure.

Dale grew up in Sugarhouse on Garfield Avenue and later raised his children in the same home. He attended South High School and graduated in 1954. He returned to school as an adult and graduated from Weber State University in 1970 with his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. He was always a "true purple" fan of Weber State.

Dale spent his career in law enforcement and loved his work every day, he was known to say "I would do this even if I wasn't getting paid." He started his career with the Salt Lake City Police Department in 1957 and retired in 1985 with the rank of Major (Assistant Chief). He was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety for the state of Utah and served in this capacity until 1987. In 1987, he accepted a position with the Rocky Mountain Information Network in Phoenix, Arizona, and served as the director of this organization for 10 years. He retired from law enforcement in 1997 after 40 years of service.

After his retirement from law enforcement, he and Janis returned to live in Salt Lake City, Utah to be closer to family. He spent his years in retirement helping neighbors, volunteering for his church food bank, having coffee with the "old cops", and spending time with friends and family.

Dale is survived by his wife Janis, his children Bret (Shannon) and Kathy, his grandchildren Quincie, Tanner (Michelle), and his great-granddaughter Zella Rose.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joyce Wiggins and brother Douglas Elton.

The family would like to thank Sara and Dallin from Utah Home Health and Hospice for their loving and dedicated help in caring for Dale the past 10 months.

Services will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary Downtown, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. Friends and family may visit from Noon until 1:00 pm. Services will be broadcast by Larkin Mortuary via Zoom. Please visit larkinmortuary.com for streaming information.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Apr. 10 to Apr. 13, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Elton

Sponsored by Larkin Mortuary - Salt Lake City.

7 Entries

Jim (Gizzy)Platt

April 16, 2023

I had the pleasure, respect, and trust to be honored to work alongside Dale as a member of the Salt Lake City Police Department, and am feeling the loss of a true gentleman who "had my back, as I had his." Thank you for your service, and for being my friend.

Nancy Davis (King)

April 14, 2023

To the best family ever! So sorry for your loss.
Dale was such a great leader in all he did.
Prayers an love.
Nancy Davis (King)
North Salt Lake

Debra L Brown

April 13, 2023

Janis and Kathy and Bret I am so sorry to hear this. He was a wonderful person he was always a light that came into the salon. Always enjoyed his visits. He made us laugh he will be missed by all rip dale. Our prayers and hugs to your family

Ted Brinton

April 12, 2023

Dale was my Cops League coach in the early 60's. Many great memories of him. Ted

Maurice J Brophy

April 11, 2023

Simply one of the finest men that I have been honored to know and work with in this life. Dale was a friend ,a mentor, and a great law enforcement officer and leader! The Sky will be very dark since we have lost one of the brightest stars in life, Many will miss Dale but rest assured that this Man will never be forgotten by those that were very lucky to be part of his Life, - Maurice & Jackie and Boys, Steven, Sean, & Dale Brophy. Janis, Bret& Kathy please accept our condolences on the loss of your Father

Steven Brophy

April 11, 2023

Wow. What to say about this man and what he means to me. This is the guy who dragged a bunch of kids downtown to the ZCMI store for breakfast with Santa, probably around 1974. A lone man with a gaggle of punks and never a bad word. This is a man who hosted the same group of kids for a Saturday pancake eating contest (my brother Sean won). This is a man who joined forces with my parents and the Hoffman family and dragged us to Colter Bay, Yellowstone and numerous trips to ride motorcycles in the West Desert of Utah. I'll never forget how much fun we had at Simpson Springs, including the flying gas can! Dale lit up the night with that one, but over all, he lit up our lives. He was a fantastic person and his laugh was infectious. His joy at seeing Robert Blake in full motor squad regalia in Electra Glide in Blue and his reaction to how high Janis jumped during the movie Jaws is unforgettable and pure joy. He loved his family, especially his kids and thankfully, other people's kids like me, Sean, Dale (his namesake), Daryl, Chris and Donnie. We are lucky to have you, Dale. Thank you and your family for sharing so much with us. All my love to the Elton clan.

Kathleen Oneal

April 10, 2023

The Eltons were my friends. We lived 2 house away my whole childhood. Dale was a good man and will be missed by all who new him. My love and prayers go out to his family. RIP Dale.

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