Dana Lee Dayton

Dana Lee Dayton was born February 8, 1955 in Big Lake, Texas and found his peace on April 1, 2012. He is survived by his mother, Bonnie Dayton, brother, Dallas Dayton, of Oklahoma City and his sister, Diana O’Dell of Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Rollin E. Dayton, Jr., his uncle, M. B. Moore of Austin, Texas and his great nephew, Isaac Dallas Dayton.

Dana began his education in Merkel, Texas and Eunice, Louisiana and then moved to Fairview, Oklahoma in the fifth grade, where he continued through to graduation in 1973. He was in the State and National Honor Society and was the 1973 National Honor Society Treasurer and Senior Class Reporter. He played the tuba in the Fairview High School Band.

He was inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Key Club in 1971 and the Major County 4-H Hall of Fame in 1972. He was NW District 4-H Vice President and National 4-H Congress Delegate. In January of 1974, Dana was honored at a reception by Governor David Hall for being a National 4-H winner.

He was awarded a Regents’ Academic Band Scholarship, a Pageant’s Academic Scholarship to Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Santa Fe 4-H Scholarship. Dana was a Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, was honored as an OSU Redskin Congratulate, OSU Homecoming Steering Committee Executive, Co-Chairman of the 1975 OSU Community Chest Drive, OSU Student Senate and a member of the Top 10 OSU Graduating Men. He earned a BA in History in 1977 with a teaching certificate option from Oklahoma State University.

Upon graduating from college, his first teaching position was in Chillicothe, Missouri; then moving to Cheyenne, Oklahoma and then back to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He taught at Star Spencer High School, Capital Hill Middle School, Moon Middle School and finally at Jackson Middle School, where his students won numerous history awards. Dana won several teaching excellence awards and acknowledgements throughout his teaching career. Dana was presented the “Apple” award for his teaching excellence by Governor David Walters at a reception in Dana’s honor.

When he left teaching, he was a floral designer at Coleman’s Flowers. He won third place in the 1997 Oklahoma Cup for the Oklahoma State Florists’ Association.

Dana was an inspiration to his students and enjoyed teaching. He was a gifted artist and designer. He loved his family and will be missed by all.

A memorial celebration will be held at Guardian West Funeral Home located at 5820 N. W. 41st Street, Oklahoma City, OK at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 14, 2012.