David Lee Dalton
David Lee Dalton, died at the age of 86, on Saturday, November 16, 2024. He was born in Patrick County, Virginia on May 1, 1938, to the late William Rosevelt Dalton and Grace Plaster Dalton.
He graduated from Cobb Memorial High School and spent two years in the army with the 291st Military Police in Huntsville, Alabama. He began his career with the Danville Police Department in 1961. During his career, he went to night school and received a B.S. degree in police science from Averett College in 1975.
David also attended several universities to further his education and improve his investigative skills, such as Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, University of Louisville, Kentucky, University of Delaware, College of William and Mary, and many other institutions.
His studies included homicide investigation, organized crime, arson and bomb investigation, mental health, dangerous motorcycle gangs, and other investigative skills.
He was promoted to the detective division in 1969 and promoted again to senior detective in 1970. He retired in May of 1993 after 32 years of service with the department.
David began a second career with the public defender's office in 1993 and retired at the end of 2000.
He loved being around water, fishing, hunting, music, dancing, and sitting on the deck watching his “birds”, but his greatest love was his wife, Helen. He enjoyed the outdoors and all of god’s magnificent creations.
David was a member of Southall Baptist Church until it merged with Westover Baptist. He was a regular attendee at Shermont Baptist Church since 2001 where he and his wife joined on March 16, 2008.
He married the love of his life, and his soul mate, Helen, on Sept. 22, 2001. She gave him a most joyful and fulfilled life. They enjoyed cruising and traveling to numerous places. He loved the Caribbean, Hawaii, and their beaches. He was most content sitting on the beach with his wife Helen, holding hands and watching the waves.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen, whom he loved so dearly, and a sister-in-law Scottie Dalton. Also surviving are 3 nieces, 3 stepdaughters, Martha Horsley, Carol Shumate, and Phyllis Barker (Mike), 7 step-grandchildren, 9 step great-grandchildren. David was predeceased by his son, John David Dalton, and a brother Melvin Odell Dalton.
A Funeral Service will be conducted on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Shermont Baptist Church with Pastor Ryan Riley officiating, Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 6:00-7:30 pm at Norris Funeral Services, Mt. Hermon Chapel. At other times the family will receive friends at the residence.
The family would like to recognize Mountain Valley Hospice, Amy Oliver, caregiver and friend, and the excellent staff at Piney Forest Health and Rehab.
Norris Funeral Services, Inc. & Crematory, Mt. Hermon Chapel, Danville, VA is respectfully serving the Dalton family. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
