It is with regret we announce the passing of Mr. Maynard Cloyd Dalton, age 91, of Hazel Green, AL.

Mr. Dalton was born on August 28, 1930, in Nebraska to the late Raymond and Josephine Dalton.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1954 and was a veteran of the Korean War. After getting an architectural engineering degree from Iowa State University, he joined NASA and worked for more than 30 years contributing to key projects like Skylab and the International Space Station.  After retirement from NASA, Maynard worked for Northrop Grumman and then fully retired to become a beekeeper and one of the largest suppliers of honey in Northern Alabama.  Maynard was a 30+ year member of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, TN; a member of VFW Post 2309 in Decatur, AL; the Alabama Beekeepers Association; and the National Rifle Association.   He was also a Master Gardener.  Maynard passed away on February 19, 2022, at his residence, supported by his loving wife. Maynard had a positive and healing impact on everyone who knew him, and all his family and friends will dearly miss him.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Dalton; children, Dave Hales of Arlington, TX; Michael (Jennifer) Hales of Reston, VA; Jennifer (Darryl) Plona of Hazel Green, AL; Brian (Suzanne) Willess of Southport, NC; and Sue (Alan) Pilkington of Goleta, CA.  Maynard’s grandchildren include Daniel Hales, Audrey Hales, Gillian Hales, Audreya Valentine, Isaiah Valentine, Gwen Plona, and Matilda Pilkington, and his only great-grandchild, Lyra Scott.  In addition to his parents, Maynard was preceded in death by his first wife, Jimmye Wood Dalton, and his sister Dorene.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Friday, February 25, 2022, at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Patrick Soule officiating.  Interment will follow in the church’s columbarium.  Visitation with the family will be from 1 PM – 2 PM Friday, in the Parrish Hall at St. Mary’s.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 150, Fayetteville, TN  37334.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Maynard Cloyd Dalton.