John Dayton, 69, of Clarence passed away suddenly but peacefully on Saturday, December 8th, 2018, at his home. Funeral services will be held at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence, IA on Saturday, December 15th at 11am with Matt Schneider-Adams officiating. Visitation will also be held at the church from 4-7pm on Friday, December 14th. Burial will be at a later date at Dayton Cemetery in Dayton, IA. John was born March 4th, 1949 to Orville and Julia Dayton in Fort Dodge, IA. He graduated from Dayton High School where he met his high school sweetheart Darlene Hanson. They were united in marriage on August 29th, 1970 in Dayton, IA. She passed away on May 6th, 2012. John is survived by his daughter Abby (Aaron) Fritz of Clive; grandson Keenan; brother Rick (Paula) Dayton of Iowa City; sisters-in-law Ann Johnson of Manson and Bonnie Hanson-Buckley (Jim) of Port Townsend, Washington; nephews Michael (Melanie) Dayton, Max (Natalie) Dayton, Ethan (Chris) Johnson, Duke Buckley; Byron Buckley; Vernon Buckley and Aaron Buckley; nieces Mali (Scott) Dayton, Karen Safly and Charlene Buckley; as well as each of his very special great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 42 years, Darlene Dayton. Many are aware of the pride John took in his young adult years of being deemed Duke of the Hobos. John worked very hard to advance his education career. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and attended Drake University for his Masters in Education in addition to a Superintendents certificate. He began as a secondary education teacher at Battle Creek Ida Grove Community School District in Ida Grove, IA in 1971. He became the curriculum director for the community school district from 1994 to 1996. John moved into a Principal role at Northwood-Kensett High school from 1996 until 2002. He promised not to move Abby during high school so as she graduated from Northwood-Kensett, he sought his first Superintendent position in Greenfield, IA at Nodaway Valley CSD from 2002 until 2009. A second Superintendency and one last move with Darlene to Clarence, IA to oversee the North Cedar CSD took place from 2009 until 2012 when he retired in June. John was a devoted husband and father. He was dedicated to learning and the education of others. Even after retirement, John substitute taught for many years and stepped in as interim Superintendent for North Cedar in 2016. He and Dar loved to travel and ensured family vacations every year. He continued his travels, always as road trips, after Dar passed and in recent years very much enjoyed his time in the first part of each year spent on Hutchinson Island in Jensen Beach, Florida. John took the greatest joy in becoming a 'Papa' in August of 2016 when his grandson Keenan John was born. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the North Cedar Education Foundation or the Clarence Public Library.