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Johnny A. Dalton, a devoted father, husband and Rock of Gibraltar to his family, a resident of Alamogordo since 1936, died peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2002, at the age of 88. Johnny was born April 9, 1914 in El Paso. He moved to Alamogordo in 1936 to work for Southwest Lumber Company and later formed an insurance and real estate firm, The Dalton Agency. For many years he and his wife Eve were sole proprietors of this thriving business which treated employees like immediate family and the community like extended family. As a tribute to the vitality of the real estate sector of their business, Johnny and Eve were recognized as Alamogordo Realtors of the Year in 1986. Johnny was a charter member of the Alamogordo Noon Lions Club, a Past Master of Sacramento Lodge #24, A.F. & A.M., Ballut Abyad Shrine, an the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1897. He ofter said with conviction and pride,"We are small town folks. We help each other." He may have been a"small town folk" but his curious mind journeyed far. He loved words and delighted in subtle, humorous twists on words. For many years his day began with crossword puzzles. He spoke a good bit of Spanish and liked to give the words a twist. So, hasta luego became hasty lumbago, tengo bastante became all bastantied up, and so on. National Geographic was his mainstay to satisfy his curiosity about the world; lying on his back on warm summer nights with his"little tads" identifying constellations, he wondered at the mysteries of the worlds beyond; and he delighted in local, region, national and world history. He derived great pleasure from driving about Otero County recounting snippets of history related to mining, lumbering, ranching, and acts of generosity, chicanery and skullduggery. Somewhere along the journey, be it though greasewood or ponderosa pines, he would inevitably say with appreciation border on a love affair,"This is God's country." On June 13, 2002, Johnny Dalton, beckoned by his darling wife Eve, left Otero County for God's country beyond. They are once more inseparable. She could wait nor longer, but her gain is our loss. Hasty Lumbago, Johnny! Survivors include his loving children, John F. Dalton and his wife Cathy of Denver, Colorado, Jolene Maes and her husband Wayne of Corrales, and Bobbie Brister of Ruidoso; grandchildren, Dotty Nelson of Corrales, Tim Maes and his wife Catherine of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Heidi and Laurie Dalton of Long Beach, California, Shelly Malone and her husband Jackie of London, England, Jimmy Brister of El Paso, and Jolene Brister of Houston, Texas; and great grandchildren, Bryan, Connor and Parker Malone of London, England, Aaron and Michael Dalton of Long Beach, California, and Brett and Sutart Maes of Minnetonka, Minnesota. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Mariana Wills and her family, daughter Paulina and husband Dennis, who provided loving care for the past ten years, and to grandson Jimmy Brister, Johnny's constant companion for the past several months. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, Eve, on June 13, 1992. Johnny and Eve were inseparable. Since her death he has visited her gravesite daily. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 1 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel with the Rev. Tom Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Cemetery. Friends may call today from 2 until 4 p.m. at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home, 1334 N. Scenic Dr., Alamogordo. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, c/o Laura Harris, 8420 Ashton Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122. END OF OBIT
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