John Richard Dayton, Jr. Obituary (1958 - 2022)

John Richard Dayton, Jr., 64 died from natural causes on Nov. 9, 2022 in his home in Oracle, Arizona(Saddlebrook Ranch). A kind and gentle soul, he brought smiles to many faces. He was compelled to make people laugh, had a special love for animals, was caring and helpful, doing things such as buying groceries for the person ahead of him in line at the grocery store, or sharing his knowledge about Finance with anyone who wanted to learn. John (Johnny D.) was born in 1958 to John and Rita Dayton in Denver, Colorado. Hespent his early years in Denver and Fort Collins catching rattlesnakes, hunting geese/elk/deer, camping and fishing, and while also growing up in the family bowling center. He was an athlete, scholar, and more... football, chess club, debate club, diving, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing - He did it all, which included being the Wyoming "soft tip" Dart State Champion. In his late teens, he transitioned from catching rattlesnakes in Colorado to swimming with alligators in Texas (that stopped when he realized there were alligators in the lake where he was sneaking off to take his morning swim). After a couple years in Texas, he moved back to Fort Collins, where he graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Business Management / Computer Science. He said he always wanted to become a boat captain, but instead he fell into the bowling business, beginning with managing a Brunswick Bowling Center in Lakewood, Colorado, then moving to Simi Valley, California where he was tasked with opening a new center (where he met his late wife - Juliet Bland). After a few years in California, he returned to Colorado to manage the family bowling centers in Fort Collins. After many years in the bowling business, he retired and more adventures began, including RVing to Alaska for 6 months, salmon fishing, and then building a house in Steamboat Springs. He enjoyed lots of travel during retirement, Belize, Jamaica, Cozumel, scuba diving, fishing, hunting, and camping all over the world, skydiving and more. He eventually settled down in Saddlebrook Ranch in Tucson, AZ where he built his second dream home and married his current wife, Nancy, who he had met in Colorado. He is survived by his wife - Nancy Dayton, his brothers - Kurt Dayton and Steve Dayton (SheilaManzanares - spouse), Bailey, his 9 1/2 year old Labradoodle, and Topaz the Spaz, aka Taz as inTasmanian devil, his 2 1/2 year old Labradoodle. He is pre-deceased by his brother - David Dayton, his late wife - Juliet, his parents - Rita and John R. Dayton, Sr., and his dogs - Buzzard, Rio, Molly Brown, and Sarah. Johnny had an endless stream of jokes and stories to tell and loved to make people laugh. With his passing, fish worldwide can now rest a bit easier. A celebration of life was held at his Saddlebrook Ranch home in Arizona with neighbors and friends in November. Another celebration of life will be held in Westminster, Colorado in late December for Denver area friends and family. In leu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or buy groceries for someone you don't know.