of Harrison, AR
December 15, 2012
James "Nat" Dayton, age 80, of Harrison, passed away Saturday, December 15, 2012, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born November 6, 1932, in Louann, Arkansas, the son of Lindsey F. and Gladys (Grandon) Dayton. Along with his parents, Nat was preceded in death by his brothers, Daniel and Dale; and a sister, June Gates.
Nat was a member of the First Baptist Church in Harrison since 2002. He married Joyce Davis on September 5, 1958, in Victoria, Texas. Previously of Plaquemine, Louisiana, they moved to Harrison in 1989. Nat grew up in Magnolia, Arkansas and had an identical twin, Daniel, with whom he played football and track while in high school.
After high school, Nat and Daniel joined the Navy with Nat teaching airplane recognition and acquired a love of flying by being a navigator. After serving his country, in 1962 Nat earned his Bachelor of Science degree from now named University of Louisiana, Lafayette. Later he worked with Shell Oil Company as an assistant engineer and ran and taught well control. He retired after 28 years. In his free time, he enjoyed flying and had built two ultra light aircrafts and had one in the process of being built.
Nat is survived by his wife, Joyce Dayton, of the home; his daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Randy McMoran, of Springfield, Tennessee; his son and daughter-in-law, John D. and Bobbie Dayton, of Harrison; his sister and brother-in-law, Natalie and Hubert Gilbert, of Bossier City, Louisiana; three grandchildren, Josh, Jenni, and Justin; one great-granddaughter, Joey Louise; and many dear friends throughout the community.
Visitation was Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.
Funeral service was Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at the First Baptist Church, with Bro. Rob Davis and Bro. Robert Shaddox officiating.
Pallbearers were Justin McMoran, Josh McMoran, Dan Bowers, James Breedlove, Kevin Merrill, Chris McNew, Bob Largent and Craig Campbell.
Honorary pallbearers were Nat's Adult IV Sunday School Class, Dr. Ralph Bowers, and Robert Shaddox.
Interment was in White House Memorial Gardens, White House, Tennessee, on Friday, December 21, 2012.
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18 Condolence(s)
Shelly (Sprenger) Ayers
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Prayers go out to you and your family. Nat was a wonderful person and was always super friendly to me. I met him during my first airshow here in Harrison and he always remembered who I was. God has definitely received a great person. God's blessings to you and your family.
Shelly (Sprenger) Ayers
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joyce,
Prayers go out to you and your family. Nat was a wonderful person and was always super friendly to me. I met him during my first airshow here in Harrison and he always remembered who I was. God has definitely received a great person. God's blessings to you and your family.
Shelly (Sprenger) Ayers
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Joyce,
Prayers go out to you and your family. Nat was a wonderful person and was always super friendly to me. I met him during my first airshow here in Harrison and he always remembered who I was. God has definitely received a great person. God blessings to you and your family.
Kelli Faddis
Friday, December 21, 2012
Praying for you all. Loved having him come to Hudson's while I worked there!
Ken Dalrymple
Friday, December 21, 2012
Joyce, my heart goes out to you and the family. One of the Magnolia troops informed me today. I am so sorry for your loss. Nat was a good friend..
ken 12.21.2012
JENNIE L HARRIS
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS LOVED ONES, HE WILL BE MISSED!
SHEILA JONES
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.
Erin Richardson
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My deepest sympathy for you & your family. Nat was one of a kind & thinking of him always brings a smile to my face. He will be missed my many.
Erin Richardson
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My deepest sympathy. I am thankful for all the wonderful memories that I have from every time I saw Nat. What a wonderful person!!
Erin Richardson
Shorty & Lillie Wilson
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
He was a super guy and we will miss not seeing him again.
God Bless
Matt & Rachel Sprenger
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Our deepest sympathy goes to your family.
Kathy & Steve Hancock
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Aunt Joyce, Laurie and John: We are so sorry to learn of Uncle Nat's passing, and wish we could be there with you during this time. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers just the same.
Love, Kathy and Steve
Brandi Mason. Ryan
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Praying for you all in this time to of loss.
Hoot and Sue Simmons
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
We were saddened to learn of Mr. Nat's passing. He was always such fun to visit with. Our symapthy to your family.We will miss seeing him out and about. God Bless.
Dennis Lichti
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
My condolences to the family. May God's peace be with you during these difficult times.
Carroll Myer
Monday, December 17, 2012
The time we shared with Nat because of our common interest in airplanes and in flying, was with a wonderful person, as well as with his wife, Joyce. The Harrison Pilots meetings and picnics are a great memory. Our sincere sympathy to the family. Carroll and Janice Myer
Tiffany Alge
Monday, December 17, 2012
My heart is saddend! Mr. Dayton you were one of a kind. We love you and sure gonna miss your visits- ALL your girls from 3rd floor.
Mrs. Dayton we are so sorry for your loss, and we love you!
John Romero
Monday, December 17, 2012
In my daily readying Sunday morning I read the following:
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. (Isaiah 57:1, 2 KJV)