Raymond Keith Dayton
Raymond Keith Dayton, age 97, a lifetime resident of Troy Township, passed peacefully at Ohman Family Living at Briar in Middlefield, on Sept. 21, 2025.
Ray, as he was known, was born on Aug. 29, 1928, at the Dayton family home of his parents. He was one of seven children.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Elnora (nee Babb) Dayton; brothers Murray and Nelson; sister Milliebelle; and his wife of 62 years, Evelyn (nee Vastag).
He is survived by his siblings Rose, of Wilmington, Del., Emerson, of Benson, Ariz., and Juliette, of Boulder, Colo.; daughters, Nancy Russell (Donald), of Troy Township, Barbara Ginsberg (Lewis), of Bartonsville, Pa., Janet Alderese (Joseph), of Morgan Hill, Calif.; and son, Bruce Dayton (Nancy), of Montville Township. Ray also leaves 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Ray graduated from Burton High School, Class of 1946, after which he served in what was known as the United States Army Air Corps for four years. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1949, a World War II veteran.
Ray continued his education at The Ohio State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. His lifelong ambition was to be a dairy farmer, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.
Ray married Evelyn on Sept. 20, 1952. Together, he and Evelyn operated a successful dairy farm for many years.
He was a member of the Ruritan Club, serving his community for years. He also was a member of the Burton United Church of Christ for 71 years, serving as deacon and on various committees.
Ray enjoyed tinkering on and driving his antique John Deere tractors, going to tractor shows and displaying them at the fair. When the grandchildren visited, Ray was elated to have them ride on and drive them.
In his later years, Ray worked at the Geauga County fairgrounds tending the beautiful flower baskets and landscaping.
An avid gardener, Ray showed pride in planting annuals, maintaining his yard and beautiful hanging flower baskets well into his 90s. He received a Beautification Award from the Burton Chamber of Commerce in 1996 for an outstanding display of blooming plants.
In 2018, during Troy Homecoming Days, Ray was recognized as the oldest born and raised male resident living in Troy.
Services for Raymond were held at Burton Congregational Church and burial took place at Welton Cemetery in Burton following the memorial service.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
