A graveside service was held Tuesday at Turlock Memorial Park for Charles "Charlie" Henry Dayton, 98, of Turlock. The former Ceres resident died Oct. 25, 2011.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 Minaret Ave., Turlock.
Born March 23,1913 in King City to Joseph and Ethel Dayton, Charlie moved to the Waterford area where he attended grammar schools in Oakdale and Waterford. His family moved to Ceres during his high school years and Charlie graduated from Ceres High School in 1931. He then attended Modesto Junior College and worked nights at the Shamrock Creamery. He took a job with a rancher who was also doing some construction work. With Depression-era wages of 50 cents an hour, Charlie decided to build his own house after reading about construction.
In 1938, Charlie met and married the love of his life, Florence de la Motte.
As a licensed general contractor, Mr. Dayton built many homes in the vicinity, eventually partnering with his brother-in-law under the name of Dayton & de la Motte. Later they opened Artcraft Industries, a remodeling company that employed 35 workers. Charlie also helped start Turlock Cabinet, Crown Cultured Marble and Allcove in Sonora.
He enjoyed his large family and enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and traveling.
After discovering golf at age 50, he eventually built a comfortable home on the Turlock Golf Course. He became the TG&CC's oldest playing member, had a hole-in-one, many tournament wins, and continued playing until this year.
Mr. Dayton built the original Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, of which he was a member. He also belonged to the Rotary Club, Turlock Chamber of Commerce, Woodwork Institute, SIRS, TG&CC and Senior Citizens of Turlock. He served on the board of education at the children's school for 12 years.
He leaves his loving wife of 73 years, Florence Dayton of Turlock; his children, Cheryl Harlan, John Dayton, Lonn Dayton, and Paul Dayton; and 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sister Thelma and brothers Egbert, Carroll and Harrison.
Remembrances may be sent to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St Louis, MO 63141-8337.
-Ceres Courier/ November 2, 2011
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 Minaret Ave., Turlock.
Born March 23,1913 in King City to Joseph and Ethel Dayton, Charlie moved to the Waterford area where he attended grammar schools in Oakdale and Waterford. His family moved to Ceres during his high school years and Charlie graduated from Ceres High School in 1931. He then attended Modesto Junior College and worked nights at the Shamrock Creamery. He took a job with a rancher who was also doing some construction work. With Depression-era wages of 50 cents an hour, Charlie decided to build his own house after reading about construction.
In 1938, Charlie met and married the love of his life, Florence de la Motte.
As a licensed general contractor, Mr. Dayton built many homes in the vicinity, eventually partnering with his brother-in-law under the name of Dayton & de la Motte. Later they opened Artcraft Industries, a remodeling company that employed 35 workers. Charlie also helped start Turlock Cabinet, Crown Cultured Marble and Allcove in Sonora.
He enjoyed his large family and enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and traveling.
After discovering golf at age 50, he eventually built a comfortable home on the Turlock Golf Course. He became the TG&CC's oldest playing member, had a hole-in-one, many tournament wins, and continued playing until this year.
Mr. Dayton built the original Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, of which he was a member. He also belonged to the Rotary Club, Turlock Chamber of Commerce, Woodwork Institute, SIRS, TG&CC and Senior Citizens of Turlock. He served on the board of education at the children's school for 12 years.
He leaves his loving wife of 73 years, Florence Dayton of Turlock; his children, Cheryl Harlan, John Dayton, Lonn Dayton, and Paul Dayton; and 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sister Thelma and brothers Egbert, Carroll and Harrison.
Remembrances may be sent to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, or Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St Louis, MO 63141-8337.
-Ceres Courier/ November 2, 2011
