Raymond K Dayton

Raymond Keith Dayton, age 97, a lifetime resident of Troy Township passed peacefully at Ohman Family Living at Briar in Middlefield, Ohio on September 21, 2025. Ray, as he was known, was born on August 29, 1928 at the Dayton family home of his parents. Ray was one of seven children.  He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Elnora (Babb) Dayton, brothers Murray, Nelson, sister Milliebelle, and his wife of 62 years, Evelyn (Vastag). Ray is survived by his siblings, Rose, of Wilmington, DE, Emerson of Benson, AZ and Juliette of Boulder, CO. daughters, Nancy Russell (Donald) of Troy Twp., Barbara Ginsberg (Lewis) of Bartonsville, PA, Janet Alderese (Joseph) of Morgan Hill, CA and son, Bruce Dayton (Nancy) of Montville, OH. Ray also leaves 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. 
Ray graduated from Burton High School Class of 1946, after which he served in what was known as the United States Army Air Corp for 4 years and honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1949, a WW2 veteran. Ray continued his education at The Ohio State University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. His lifelong ambition was to be a dairy farmer following in his father’s and grand-father’s footsteps. Ray married Evelyn on September 20, 1952. Together he and Evelyn operated a successful dairy farm for many years. Ray was a member of the Ruritan Club serving his community for years. He was a member of the Burton United Church of Christ for 71 years serving as deacon and on various committees. Ray enjoyed tinkering on and driving his antique John Deere tractors going to tractor shows and displaying them at the fair. When the grandchildren visited, Ray was elated to have them ride on and drive them. In his later years Ray worked at the Geauga County fairgrounds tending the beautiful flower baskets and landscaping. An avid gardener, Ray showed pride in planting annuals, maintaining his yard and beautiful hanging flower baskets well into his 90’s. He received a Beautification Award from the Burton Chamber of Commerce in 1996 for an outstanding display of blooming plants. In 2018 during Troy Homecoming Days, Ray was recognized as the oldest born and raised male resident living in Troy!                                                                                          
Calling hours for Raymond will be 10:00am to 11:00am on Monday, September 29, 2025 at Burton Congregational Church, 14558 W. Park Street , Burton, Ohio . A memorial service will immediately follow at the church at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Welton Cemetery in Burton following the memorial service.

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