Weatherby Harris Dalton

Weatherby Harris Dalton, Jr. of Canton Georgia passed away on Monday July 3, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ora Ernestine (Ellis) Dalton of Cordele Ga in 2018, and his brother Frank Dalton of Leslie Georgia and sister Sarah Cook of DeSoto Georgia. He was born on November 4, 1928 to Weatherby Dalton Sr. and Ruth Dalton in Americus, Ga. . He was 94 years old. His only son Clay Dalton was born in Cartersville Georgia and grew up in the Douglasville Georgia area and now resides with his wife Glenda in Canton, Ga. He leaves behind two grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He went by "Harris" because as a young boy his friends had difficulty spelling Weatherby- so he decided to use his middle name.

Weatherby Harris Dalton Jr., was a native Georgian and graduate of the University of Georgia after serving in the Korean War before becoming an award winning journalist. He edited six newspapers and one corporate oil and gas magazine during his career as a Journalist. In his memoir entitled "EXCITEMENT IN WAR AND PEACE" by Weatherby Harris Dalton, Jr. he describes his life growing up in south Georgia and Savannah. He joined the Navy and saw action as a radar man fighting communism during the Korean War aboard the USS SICILY Aircraft Carrier (CVE-118) which lent it's support to the famous Black Sheep Squadron, and was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon 3 stars, United Nations Service Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal. In addition, of the ten bloodiest battles during the Korean War, the USS Sicily was present for two of them, Pusan and Hungnam of which he was very proud to have been part of that history making crew, which he and fellow crew members were awarded the Navy Unit Citation for Heroism. The Sicily, nicknamed the QUEEN, also was mentioned in Colliers Magazine as "The Phantom Ship" because it was always on the go and the enemy never knew where it would strike next. Dalton traveled on the ship for over 429,616 miles at 19 knots per mile which equals 23,664 hours at sea. His experiences were chronicled by several historical groups preserving the rich history of our military members.

His son, Clay says that his father was always a source of encouragement and support, and of the many accolades his father got over the years, the one he deserves the most is "GREATEST DAD ON EARTH". He will be interred with honors at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, where his wife is now at rest. In the dedication of his book Dalton writes: "As a veteran of the Korean War, I would like to take the opportunity to dedicate this book to the men and women who have pledged themselves to the noble cause of defending and preserving the freedoms we enjoy in the greatest nation the world has ever known."- Weatherby Harris Dalton, Jr.

For more information contact Clay Dalton at 770-815-5451

In Their Honor of Jasper is honored to care for the Dalton Family.

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