Hugh King Dayton, Jr., a proud veteran, devoted family man, and lover of life, passed away peacefully at his home in Union, Kentucky, on Monday morning, July 28, 2025. He was 85.

Born in Sacramento, raised in Long Beach, California, Hugh lived a life marked by service, dedication and vitality. A highly decorated officer in the United States Air Force, Hugh earned several medals including Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, etc ..., before retiring after 24 ½ years. He was a fighter pilot, flying over 200 combat missions in Vietnam and leading several flight squadrons across the US and Europe. He retired as a Colonel. His legacy of duty and patriotism lives on through all who knew him.

Following his military service, Hugh continued to apply his leadership and logistical acumen as VP of Engineering at Litton Industries and later as Global Director of Engineering at Avery Dennison. His professional excellence was matched by his warm character, sense of humor and generous spirit. Hugh drew on these traits to support local businesses through the Greater Cincinnati SCORE Chapter as an executive counselor and volunteer.

He earned two Masters’ Degrees, one in Electrical Engineering and one in Business, and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Growing up his interests were wide and varied – surfing, fishing, playing basketball in both high school and college, singing in acapella and chorus groups, participating in the cheer squad, and being a founding member of the Kappa Chi Fraternity chapter at Cal Poly.

Never one to sit still, Hugh embraced every opportunity to stay active in his community. He was a longtime member of First Church of Christ in Burlington, Kentucky, attending Men’s Bible Study for over 20 years. He also enjoyed dancing, working out, playing Mahjongg and Euchre with friends, flying at the Wright Patterson AFB Aero Club, traveling the world to places throughout Europe, England, Mexico and Australia, as well as salmon fishing every year in Alaska with Jack Montgomery, his best friend since kindergarten.

Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Newsome Dayton, Hugh King Dayton, Sr, and his beloved granddaughter, Jenna Rose Dayton.  He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Sue Dayton, with whom he shared a partnership of love and everlasting bond; and his children, Geoffrey Albert Dayton (Stacie), Pamela Deanna Dayton, Kimberly Sue Lowery (Brian), and Angela Carol Dean (John); his siblings, Anne Brock (Bruce) and Lyman Dayton; and his cherished grandchildren, Kendall Lowery, Bryce Lowery, Makenna Dayton, Georgia Dayton-Ames, and Kaylee Dean.

Hugh’s visitation will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 11 am to 1 pm, with a celebration of life service beginning at 1 pm.   A reception will immediately follow at the First Church of Christ in Burlington, KY.  Hugh will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, at a later date – a fitting tribute for a man who loved flying fighter jets and who gave so much in service to his country.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Hugh’s name may be made to First Church of Christ, 6080 Camp Ernst Dr, Burlington, KY 41005.