Gary G. Dayton, 77, of Gloucester, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at home surrounded by his loving family.
Gary was born in Westernport, Md., on Aug. 17, 1937.
He studied pre-med at Potomac State College, Keyser, W.Va., attended Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, Va., and University of Texas.
Gary spent six years in the Navy and retired as a Master Sergeant with the United States Air Force. During his service he was stationed in Japan, South Korea, Turkey and various stateside military medical facilities. He retired from Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, in 1977. He then became the director and later Staff Tech of the Radiology Department at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, Va., retiring in 1996 after 19½ years of service.
Gary was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy and Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Korean Service Medal National Defense, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the NCO Academy Ribbon, and various commemorative ribbons and medals.
He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Moose, Elks, American Society of Radiological Technology and Bellamy United Methodist Church.
He was an avid golfer, loved college sports and pro golf. He remained close to his classmates and was very involved in activities during and after graduating from Bruce High School, Class of 1955.
Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Terry Dayton, and will be dearly missed by his wife, Nancy A. Dayton; a son, Gary A. Dayton (Donna); daughter, Christy Dayton Talbott (Donald); grandsons, Kyle S. Talbott and Drew T. Dayton; granddaughter, Alex B. Dayton; sisters, Dawn Ann Dayton and Beth Dayton; and longtime friends, the Rev. Andy Agnew, June and Dick Rinard and family.
The family received friends at Bellamy United Methodist Church, 4870 Chestnut Fork Road on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, from 1-2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 2 o’clock. Burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, was in charge of arrangements.