Larry Grant Dalton's Obituary
Larry “Grant” Dalton, also known as “Daddy-O” by his daughters and “Big Daddy” by his Grandchildren, was born on March 14, 1959, in Houston, Texas. He left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father Sunday, July 16, 2017. Grant worked for the Dallas Fire Department for over 21 years at numerous stations. His last assignment was at Station No. 58. He had a deep passion for helping people and took great pride in his work as a Dallas Fire Rescue Officer. He cherished the many friendships he had within his DFR family. Grant spent his early years in Houston, Texas. At age 14, he moved to Denver, Colorado where he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1978. He was a humble man who always had a smile on his face. He probably never mentioned it, but his high school class voted him as having the “Best Smile”. Grant’s smile and laugh were admired by so many, they were magnetic and will be remembered by all who knew and loved him. Grant was considered a Blue Chipper by his High School coaches. He played basketball at Franklin Phillips Junior College in Borger, Texas and Dallas Baptist (DBU) where he received full scholarships at both colleges. He loved to travel with his family. His favorite vacations were the trips to Colorado, where he enjoyed visiting with his parents, white water rafting, hiking and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery Colorado offers. Grant had a few moments of fame…he appeared on TV commercials, magazine ads and almost made a billboard wearing his honorable fireman uniform. He was a loving father to his beloved daughters Cara and Caitlin. Throughout their childhood, he made numerous day trips to Houston to sometimes just have lunch with them and drive back home the same day. They were his world! In January 2015, Grant was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. He never showed any symptoms other than difficulty swallowing. Two days following his first symptom, doctors discovered an orange size tumor in his esophagus. There were no warning signs. He fought a heroic battle for over 2 1/2 years, it was the fight of his life. Sadly, he succumbed to the disease Sunday afternoon in his home where he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and loved ones. Grant always said he was going to “finish strong”, and that he did. Grant is survived by his wife Michelle Dalton; parents: Larry and Barbara Dalton of Arvada, Colorado; daughters: Cara Dalton Wiebe, and husband Ben, Caitlin Dalton Weeks and husband Brian, both from The Woodlands, Texas. ; step children: Brittany Hankins and husband Ross from Waxahachie, Texas, Mason McLaughlin from Keller, Texas. He is also survived by his loving Grandchildren, Riker David Wiebe, Luke and Kaleigh Hankins and Grant Dalton Weeks, expected this fall; cousins: Genie Harris and husband Steve, Maleta Novak and husband Bob. In lieu of flowers, Grant’s wishes were to make a donation to one of the following organizations: Dallas Firefighters Association (DFFA) Online: www.local58relieffund.com By Mail: Local 58 Relief Fund – 10956 Audelia Rd., Dallas, TX 75243 Bill Dasch Ministries Online: www.billdasch.com By Mail: Rev. Dr. Bill Dasch Ed. D., M. Div., L.P.C. Bill Dasch Ministries, P. O. Box 774, Mansfield, TX 76063 (Where Grant received daily prayers of healing, strength, and hope since his diagnosis.) A special Thank You goes out to the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, Dallas Fire Fighters Association and the Dallas Fire Retired Firefighters Association for all the support provided to Grant and his family during his career and this very difficult battle of cancer; to his PallBearers: Ross Hankins, Theron Brown, Glen Ortega, Joe Moreno, Ryan O’Keefe; Steven Bohannan; his Healing Pastor, Rev. Dr. Bill Dasch, Ed. D., M. Div., L.P.C., founder of Bill Dasch Ministries for daily prayers of healing, strength and hope since the metastatic diagnosis; and our family and friends for standing by us each step of this journey. We are forever grateful! The Dalton Family The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Service to celebrate Larry’s life will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2017, 10:00 AM at Gateway Church located at 12123 Hillcrest Rd, Dallas, TX 75230. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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