Dennis James Dalton

In Cherished Remembrance of Dennis James Dalton

Our beloved father has returned home to his Heavenly Father. Dennis James Dalton was born on September 5, 1938 in Ogden, Utah, to his parents, Ned James and Phoebe Jane Haworth Dalton. He passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, at the Lotus Park Senior Living in West Haven, Utah, a resident of Taylor, Utah.

When Daddy was 6 years old, his mother passed away. A while later, his father married Thelma Evelyn Moulding Thompson Dalton. Dennis grew up in South Ogden, enjoying life and all that goes along with being a curious individual. He graduated from Weber High School, class of 1956. He served two missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dennis loved attending church in North Ogden, Utah, and held many callings. He had a deep love for the scriptures and enjoyed sharing his testimony with his family.

He graduated from Weber State College in 1958 with a Certificate of Completion in Electronics. There he met the love of his life, Gail Lynn Elwell, and they were married June 5, 1959. Later, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 14, 1960. Dad and Mom loved each other completely and were totally committed to sharing their love with all they came in contact with. They loved to dance and attend ballets, theater, and concerts. Travel was always on the agenda. They explored many wonderful locations in this world, including all of America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, parts of Africa, Spain, Russia, South America, Central America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Thailand, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Mexico, and Canada. His last trip planned was Puerto Rico with his daughters, but he was unable to go due to medical restrictions. Dennis and Gail lived in North Ogden for 12 years and started their family. They then moved to Taylor, UT, where they resided for over 50 years.

Dennis worked at Hill Field, giving him lots of opportunities to excel in his job. He worked with the Minute Man Missile project. He was involved with the Bay of Pigs, ready to push the button to send the missiles to Cuba. Traveling was a big part of his job. Our father’s work ethic extended way beyond his day job. Dennis taught us that having fun and working went hand in hand. We always worked to earn money for our extra activities, but we played just as hard. When we would travel up to the mountains to cut down trees for firewood, we would go fishing. When we loaded tons and tons of flagstone rocks, we would go hunting or camping. Then we would sell the rock and firewood so that we could go on a family trip. Dennis taught his five beautiful daughters, to love nature, and to be able to incorporate that love to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to teach his grandchildren how to collect, sort, and chop firewood. Then give them a small allowance to get a drink and a treat from Country Corner on the way back home. This was one of the many highlights of their childhood. He also recycled tires and would encourage his grandchildren to create the greatest of tire forts in the backyard, resulting in grand memories.

Dennis also loved to travel locally with his family, sharing his hobbies and love of nature. He frequently visited Antelope Island, went on hunting and fishing trips, his favorite spot being Locomotive Springs. He also had a love of rockhounding and could tell you everything you needed to know about them from gold to the pebble on the sidewalk. Dennis loved history and had a thorough knowledge of Native Americans and other ancient cultures. Trips to the desert usually resulted in many history lessons and rock hounding expeditions. While trips to the forest would lead to collecting firewood and pine nuts, and his favorite sport, fly fishing.

Family was everything to Dennis and Gail, gathering together, was the ultimate joy. When the grandchildren were asked if Santa Claus was real, they said, “Yes, Grandpa and Grandma are Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.” Grandpa was also the Great Pumpkin on Halloween. He loved to throw out his pocket change on the lawn and share his metal detectors with his grandchildren so they could hunt for it in the notoriously long grass in his yard, that he kept long for his grandchildren to mow. He taught his grandchildren many survival skills and facts of nature, encouraging them to always learn and grow. We had outings where he would take his grandchildren and later his great- grandchildren on amazing adventures, sharing with them his love and knowledge. He could tell us the best stories, of his life, and things that he did as a young man. His sons-in-law loved Dennis as well and are so grateful for all the time and activities that he would attend with them.

He earned his Eagle Scout, three silver palms, and three gold palms. Dennis was also awarded the Silver Beaver Award. He loved Scouting and taught many young men and his grandsons the importance of being prepared. Four of his grandsons also earned their Eagle Scout Award, encouraged by their grandfather.

Family is what mattered to Dad. He wanted to be surrounded by his family 24/7. Even this last year of his life and especially during his one month stay at Lotus Park. He just wanted his family. He had friends at Lotus, but it just wasn't the same. He wanted his family to visit him every day. He especially loved all of the little great-grandchildren. When visiting with his family, he loved going out to eat with his children and grandchildren, and he especially loved going on adventures.

Dennis was blessed with five daughters and one son, Pamela Kay (Jeff) Gibson, Kim James Dalton Deceased, Debra Jane (Bradley) Story, Heidi Lynn (James) Bahr, Lara Lee (Derk) Russell, Suzzette (John) Liu. Also surviving is one sister, Carol Ann Thompson (Dallas) Buckway. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, and their spouses, and 38 great-grandchildren.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Gail Lynn Elwell Dalton; his son, Kim James Dalton; his son-in-law, Charles Brad Story; two great-grandchildren; his father, Ned James Dalton; mother, Phoebe Jane Haworth Dalton; and stepmother, Thelma Evelyn Moulding Thompson Dalton.

Our family would love to gather together with you for a Celebration of life and visiting on the June 7, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Taylor 5th Ward, 3271 West 2550 South, West Haven. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will then take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Ogden City Cemetery

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Dennis’ obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared.

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