Delta Leon Layton, 86, of Safford, entered into rest on July 7, 2015 at his home with his loving family by his side. He was born June 30, 1929 in Paoli, Oklahoma to Haskell Leon & Alice Hall Layton.
The family moved to the Gila valley in 1935 settling in Safford. Delta graduated from Safford High School in 1948 then attended Eastern Arizona College for a while. He married the love of his life, Helen “Rose” Reynolds on September 18, 1949. The couple was blessed with twins, Brenda Kay and Brent Jay Layton. The family was sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 30, 1960.
Delta was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions in the church. He was the General Manager of Long Enterprises and owned L&L Auto. He had many hobbies and was involved in the community in many ways. He was a past president of the Graham County Powder Burners Gun Club and the Graham County Motorcycle Club, an engineer for the Safford Fire Department and a charter member of the Kiwanis Club. Delta took 1st place Master Marksman for the State of Arizona and won several awards with the Safford Fire Department team with the “Make & Break” contest for the State of Arizona with the volunteer departments of Arizona.
When he had spare time he was an avid motorcyclist, hunter, scuba diver, water skier, commercial pilot, master marksman with a rifle and built model airplanes.
Delta is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Rose Layton and his twins Brenda Kay (Jay) Colvin of Eden and Brent Jay (Rhonda) Layton of Globe, siblings; Peggy Riley of Sierra Vista, Barbara (Gary) Bryce of Mesa, and Carol (Don) Hart of Safford, 8 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Haskell Leon & Alice Ann Hall Layton, brother, Joe Ray Layton, and brother-in-law, Richard Riley.
A viewing for Delta will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Caldwell Funeral Chapel and again Saturday morning, July 18th at 9:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Safford Stake Center with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Pima Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that contributions be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund.
Services are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
