Obituary for James L. Dalton
Mr. James L. Dalton, age 82, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the Capital Region Medical Center.
Jim was born on January 23, 1938 in Johnson County, Missouri, the son of Leroy and Ruby (Luse) Dalton. He was married on November 10, 1961 in Odessa, Mo. to Luana Joy Laughlin who preceded him in death in May of 1990. Jim later married Esther (Eisterhold) Bax on August 1, 1998 who survives at the home.
Jim attended school in the Odessa, MO area. He then served in the United States Navy for several years following the Korean War. He enjoyed talking about his experience with other veterans.
After his service to our country, Jim began his 38-year career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He worked in the Commercial Vehicle Division with Troop A in Lee’s Summit, MO during his long career and possessed a strong work ethic. At the time of his retirement, he was the Chief of the Commercial Vehicle Division for Troop A.
While living in Odessa with his wife Luana, Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church. He later moved to Jefferson City after marrying his wife, Esther.
Jim liked working with his hands and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed working on cars and antiques, and was known to buy things, just to bring them back home to fix them. There was nothing that Jim could not make work, even if not as originally designed. He would spend hours building bird feeders to share with family and friends because he enjoyed looking over nature in his backyard. Jim was an avid reader, and gained much knowledge from reading books on history and researching different ways to fix things.
Jim will be remembered for his love of family & friends, sense of humor, patience, and generosity. He was always ready to lend a hand when someone was in need.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 22 years, Esther Dalton; one son, Robert Dalton (wife Dorie) of Golden, CO; three step-children, Bryan Bax (wife Tracy) of Jefferson City, MO, Bruce Bax (wife Shelly) of Jefferson City, MO, and Brooke Switzer (husband Brett) of Jefferson City, MO; two grandchildren, Clancy Dalton and Jack Dalton; ten step-grandchildren, Clayton Bax (wife Haley), Nick Bax, Lauren Bax, Braden Bax, Sam Switzer, Ethan Bax, Jake Switzer, Ben LeCure (wife Courtney), Alex, LeCure, and Nick LeCure; and two step-great-grandchildren, Britton and Cohen.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Luana; and brother, Robert Dalton, who passed at a young age.
Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of his life will be announced at a later time. Private graveside services and interment with military honors will be held at Greenton Cemetery in Odessa, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Jim was born on January 23, 1938 in Johnson County, Missouri, the son of Leroy and Ruby (Luse) Dalton. He was married on November 10, 1961 in Odessa, Mo. to Luana Joy Laughlin who preceded him in death in May of 1990. Jim later married Esther (Eisterhold) Bax on August 1, 1998 who survives at the home.
Jim attended school in the Odessa, MO area. He then served in the United States Navy for several years following the Korean War. He enjoyed talking about his experience with other veterans.
After his service to our country, Jim began his 38-year career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He worked in the Commercial Vehicle Division with Troop A in Lee’s Summit, MO during his long career and possessed a strong work ethic. At the time of his retirement, he was the Chief of the Commercial Vehicle Division for Troop A.
While living in Odessa with his wife Luana, Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church. He later moved to Jefferson City after marrying his wife, Esther.
Jim liked working with his hands and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed working on cars and antiques, and was known to buy things, just to bring them back home to fix them. There was nothing that Jim could not make work, even if not as originally designed. He would spend hours building bird feeders to share with family and friends because he enjoyed looking over nature in his backyard. Jim was an avid reader, and gained much knowledge from reading books on history and researching different ways to fix things.
Jim will be remembered for his love of family & friends, sense of humor, patience, and generosity. He was always ready to lend a hand when someone was in need.
Survivors include: his loving wife of 22 years, Esther Dalton; one son, Robert Dalton (wife Dorie) of Golden, CO; three step-children, Bryan Bax (wife Tracy) of Jefferson City, MO, Bruce Bax (wife Shelly) of Jefferson City, MO, and Brooke Switzer (husband Brett) of Jefferson City, MO; two grandchildren, Clancy Dalton and Jack Dalton; ten step-grandchildren, Clayton Bax (wife Haley), Nick Bax, Lauren Bax, Braden Bax, Sam Switzer, Ethan Bax, Jake Switzer, Ben LeCure (wife Courtney), Alex, LeCure, and Nick LeCure; and two step-great-grandchildren, Britton and Cohen.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Luana; and brother, Robert Dalton, who passed at a young age.
Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of his life will be announced at a later time. Private graveside services and interment with military honors will be held at Greenton Cemetery in Odessa, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.