[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4197-4198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN HENRY DAYTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2014

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the life 
of John Henry Dayton who passed away on February 9, 2014 surrounded by 
family.
  John Henry Dayton was born in Turlock, California to Charles and 
Florence Dayton. He lived the epitome of a rural life, being raised on 
a 10-acre ranch in the Hughson, California with his siblings, Cheryl, 
Lonn, and Paul.

[[Page 4198]]

  Mr. Dayton attended grammar and high school in Hughson. At Hughson 
High School, John enjoyed track, basketball, football, and playing the 
trombone in band. Mr. Dayton was well known for his kindness, humor and 
intelligence, earning him the ``Wittiest Student Award'' during his 
junior year and the ``Biggest Cut-Up Award'' his senior year.
  John attended Oregon State University where he received a Bachelor of 
Science degree at the School of Pharmacy in 1966. While at Oregon 
State, he married Beverly Jean (Wyatt) Tack from Portland, Oregon. 
Together, John and Beverly raised two children, Kristin and Mike.
  After college, Mr. Dayton moved back to California and worked as a 
pharmacist in the Modesto area. In 1971, John and his business partner, 
Harold Copp opened Oakdale Village Pharmacy in the city's first 
shopping center. The independently owned and operated drug store 
thrived and competed with the larger retail chains. Eventually, John 
and Harold opened additional pharmacies in Escalon and Modesto.
  Mr. Dayton was later remarried to Susan Thorpe in 1985. Together they 
raised two children, Kevin Cooper and Tasha Poslaniec of Modesto.
  Throughout more than four decades of business in the Oakdale area, he 
earned a reputation as a knowledgeable, personable, easy-going, 
dependable, helpful and trustworthy pharmacist. John enjoyed every 
aspect of business and working with people.
  In November 2012, John was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. At 
the time, he was in the midst of starting a new compounding pharmacy in 
Sonora and building a home on Horseshoe Road outside of Oakdale. He 
told his family that the new compounding pharmacy would provide him 
with the means to eventually re-open a pharmacy in downtown Oakdale, 
where he would once again enjoy the camaraderie of long-time patrons 
and employees.
  Despite the grim prognosis and a marital separation, John remained 
optimistic, kindhearted, and faithful. In sickness, his family rallied 
around him. His grace, courage and faith left an indelible mark on his 
loving family.
  Mr. John Henry Dayton is survived by his mother, Mrs. Charles Dayton; 
daughter, Kristin (Debra Bringham) Dayton; son, Mike (Alanna) Dayton; 
sister, Cheryl (Jim) Harlan; and brothers, Lonn (Pam) Dayton, and Paul 
Dayton. John was grandfather to six grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren.
  He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Dayton; and stepson, 
Kevin Cooper.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the life of Mr. John Henry 
Dayton and all of his excellent contributions to his family and 
community.

                          ____________________