Roll Call Tribute

Dayton Byars Blaine, Jr,
October 12, 1928 - May 18, 2022

Dayton was an extraordinary father, grandfather, and husband. He peacefully passed away in Las Vegas at 93, being beautifully taken care of by Simone M. Hall, his caregiver for the last year and a half.

Dayton was born on October 12, 1928, to Dayton Byars Blaine, Sr., and English Riddle Blaine. He grew up in Oak Cliff, Texas. He had two older sisters, Joe Anne and Winona. His father was a farmer, a pharmacist, and a quarter horse rancher. Dayton's childhood years were spent in the family drug store eating free candy, playing ball, digging posts, and breaking horses. He could spot a "championship' horse until the day he died.

Dayton attended Hogg Elementary School and W. H. Adamson High School, where he played left field. His senior year, his baseball team won the Texas State Championship.

Dayton attended Texas A&M after graduating from high school. He was a member of the Corp of Cadets, preparing Dayton for his leadership role in the US Army. Here he made friends for life. Into his late 80's Dayton attended almost every home football game at Texas A&M with this same group of college friends.

Dayton enlisted in the Korean War in 1952 as a Second Lieutenant of the Armor Division. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his heroic service. Never one to brag, the medals remained in a lockbox in his closet his entire life. Dayton lived his life by the core values of the Texas Aggies - loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, respect, and selfless service.

After Dayton's honorable discharge in 1953, he moved back to his hometown of Dallas and worked briefly for a Merck Pharmaceutical Company as a Sales Rep. Having met his future wife, Martha Evans Blaine, during his senior year at college, he ran into her again soon after his return from the war. They were married in 1955 and moved to San Antonio where Dayton started his illustrious career in the heavy equipment business, working for Caterpillar at Holt Machinery. Dayton and Martha started their family here and had three sons - Robert, David, and James, and one daughter, Carrie.

After several years in San Antonio, Dayton was offered the Sales Manager position at West Texas Equipment Company in Amarillo, Texas where he spent the next decade. Dayton, at the age of 52, decided that it was time he had his own heavy equipment dealership and bought the John Deere dealership in Las Vegas and Elko, NV. From 1980 until 2017 Dayton and Blaine Equipment Company were instrumental in the growth and expansion of Nevada.

Dayton loved Las Vegas. He was active in the community and just as active on the golf course. He was a member of the Rotary Club for over 60 years. He served as a long time Board Member, Officer, and Lifetime Director at the Association of General Contractors/Nevada Contractors Association. He was an advocate for the construction industry and employed many in the community. He was a long-standing member of the Las Vegas Country Club and Canyon Gate Country Club.

Dayton is survived by his sons David Blaine and James Blaine (wife Sarah), daughter Carrie Policella (husband Tony), adopted daughter Alison Reagan, and grandchildren Brittanie Crane, Tiffany Law, Makinsie Baker, Kathryn Blaine, Andrew Blaine, Jonathan Blaine, Dayton Policella, Blaine Policella, and Abigail Blaine, and six great grandchildren.

Dayton was predeceased by his wife Martha Evans Blaine and son Robert Dayton Blaine.

His memory will live in our hearts forever and his spirit in this world will be forever missed.

Service & reception will be held at Palms Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery
Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM
6701 N. Jones Blvd., Las Vegas, NV

Donations in his name are welcome to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601 or ACT.ATZ.ORG/DONATE