The "New" Burkett Family Web Site
Obituary Archives – 2015
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Donald P. Dalton Paper, Date, page
MAYFLOWER - Brigadier General Donald Dalton, USAF, retired, 75, of Mayflower, Ark., passed away Monday, Jan. 19, 2015 at his home. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., to the late John and Dora Dalton on April 10, 1939. He was also preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Jane Harrison; brother, John Dalton and son, Donald Edward Dalton. Donald graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1957. He graduated from the University of Arkansas (Little Rock) with a bachelor of science degree in marketing and from Harvard Business School with a masters in management development. His military education included Squadron Officer School, National Defense University, and Air War College. General Dalton enlisted as an airman in the Arkansas Air National Guard (ANG) in 1957. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1961. He completed Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laredo AFB, Texas in 1962. He was assigned as a reconnaissance pilot, 154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Little Rock, flying RB-57 aircraft. During the call-up for the Pueblo Crisis in 1968, General Dalton was named air operations officer. He remained in tactical flying until the group converted to KC-135 aircraft in 1975 and he became a tanker pilot and operations staff officer. In 1978, he became an information staff officer for Headquarters, Arkansas ANG. He was selected as deputy commander, Arkansas ANG in December 1988, flying as an operational evaluator in the 189th Tactical Airlift Group C-130 aircraft. General Dalton was named chief of staff, Arkansas ANG in February 1990, commander, Arkansas ANG in June 1991 and federally recognized as a Brigadier General on April 8, 1992. General Dalton was a command pilot with over 2000 flying hours in the T-37, T-33, RB-57, RF-101, KC-135, and C-130 aircraft. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver Oak Leaf cluster and two Bronze Oak Leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, Air Force Training Ribbon, Arkansas Commendation Medal, Arkansas Service Medal with four Bronze Diamonds, Arkansas Service Medal, Arkansas Recruiting Ribbon. General Dalton also received the Legion of Merit Award. He served on the Arkansas Military Veterans' Hall of Fame nomination committee. TextWhen not serving his country, Don was vice president and general manager for Valmac in Russellville Arkansas. He was also retired president of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and elected chairman in 1978. In 2010, he was honored by the American Poultry Historical Society and inducted into the Poultry Hall of Fame. Don served as a Deacon of Central Baptist Church of Conway, volunteered many hours at the Central Baptist Food Pantry and taught adult Sunday school. Don served as president of the Conway Noon Lion's club and was dedicated to honoring his country through their flag holiday observance. Don was also a member of the Gideon's organization. Don also enjoyed serving The Lord through mission trips, traveling and spending time with his family. Don took the time to assist those in need in his neighborhood especially during the Mayflower tornado disaster in April 2014. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Patricia Lee Murphree Dalton; daughter, Terry Dalton of Waco, Texas; son, Greg Dalton of Mayflower, Ark.; daughter, Beth Dalton Winebrenner of Cabot, Ark.; daughter-in-law, Susan Dalton of Springdale, Ark.; sister, JoAnn Abbot of Beardon, Ark.; step-daughters, Lauren Adams (Forrest) of Springdale, Shawn Sparks Kacena (Chris) of Sherwood and Ashley Williams (Keith) of Conway, 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many friends. Visitation will be Monday, Jan. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Central Baptist Church of Conway. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at the Church. Interment will be held immediately following the service at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery 1501 West Maryland Ave. North Little Rock, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Guatemala missions program or The Food Pantry at Central Baptist Church, 3333 Dave Ward Dr. Conway, AR 72034. For online obituary: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR) - Sunday, January 25, 2015
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