The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., March 31, 1955, page 1
Includes portrait

ORIN L. DAYTON BURIED SUNDAY IN FULL HONORS
Young Air Force Officer Victim Of Jeep Accident

     Burial rites with full military honors were conducted for the late Orin L. Dayton Sunday at the Odd Fellows Cemetery here, after funeral services at Phillips chapel, with the Rev. Edwin B. Towle officiating. Graveside services were conducted by the Louis Leidl American Legion Post.
     Orin, 23, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, died March 22 after a jeep accident in the Smokey Mountains near Gatlinburg, North Carolina, when the vehicle he was driving overturned on a slippery clay road. Orin lost consciousness almost immediately after the accident and never regained it. He was taken to a Knoxville, Tennessee hospital where he died. His body was shipped to Dallesport Saturday by air. It was accompanied by Lt. Batey, squadron mate of Orin's.
     Orin's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Dayton of Goldendale, left for Tennessee by plane before hearing of their son's death. They returned home last Friday, accompanied by Orin's wife and baby.
     At the time of the fatal accident, Orin was accompanied by an air force sergeant on a radar installation assignment in the mountain area. It had been raining and the roads were very slippery. In recent months Orin had been stationed at Warner Robins, Georgia, but had been sent into Tennessee on the special duty. Sergeant Harrelson, Orin's companion hailed a passing car to send out an ambulance for the injured man.
     When news of the accident reached Warner Robbins, Mrs. Dayton was flown to his bedside. Surgery was performed in an effort to save Orin's life, but he failed to rally.
     The young officer had been promoted from second to first lieutenant only a few days before his death and did not know of the promotion.
     Orin was born in The Dalles, Oregon, July 29, 1931.
     He attended the Goldendale grade school and high school from 1937 through May, 1949. While in high school he was active in F.A.A., captain of the football team, in the band, glee club and many other activities. Upon graduation he was given the Citizenship Award. He was a member of the local Methodist Church.
     He entered Washington State College in September, 1949 and was admitted to the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity in 1950.
     On June 7, 1953, he was united in marriage to Joyce A. Husted and to this union one child was born, Michele Joy Dayton, six months of age.
     Having earned his Air Force commission while attending college he began his service with the Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in September, 1953.
     Besides his wife, child and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loren Dayton, he leaves to mourn; his brother, Gary Alvin Dayton; his Grandmothers, Mrs. M.O. Dayton and Mrs. Cora B. McKune; his many relatives and a host of friends.
     He was a devoted son, husband and father. His untimely passing will be felt by all who loved him.

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©  Jeffrey L. Elmer