James "Jim" Richard Dalton, 49, of Memphis, Missouri, passed away, suddenly, at 1:57 P.M. on April 22, 2017, at the home of his parents in rural Scotland County.

James was born on March 12, 1968, at Kirksville, Missouri, to William and Bonnie (Bulen) Dalton.

He graduated from Scotland County R-1 High School in 1986.  Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for four years.  After graduating basic training, he was stationed in Korea where he met his future bride, Laura Kathleen Finberg.  After completing his enlistment they moved back to Memphis and were married on July 6, 1990 and to this union three children were born.

For the past nineteen years Jim worked for the Scotland County road crew, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Delbert F. Dalton and his father, William Dalton.

Jim's passion in life was his family, especially the last seven months, having the opportunity to make the acquaintance of his grandson, Anthony Jace "AJ" Dalton-Lloyd.

He also had a great passion for tractor pulling.  He looked forward to every summer when he traveled with Larry and David Wiggins to participate in various antique tractor pulls and volunteered for the Scotland County Antique Days, guarding the antique tractors.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Delbert and Irene Dalton and George and Ida Bulen; a nephew, Anthony Michael Dalton, a cousin, Cindy Hamilton and his  father-in-law, John Finberg, Sr.

He leaves in mourning his wife, Laura Dalton, of Memphis; his children: Brian William Dalton and Elizabeth Carol Dalton, both of Memphis; Lisa Leigh Dalton of Ottumwa, Iowa; a grandson, A.J. Dalton-Lloyd; his parents, William and Bonnie Dalton, of Memphis; brothers: Arnold Dalton, Donald Dalton, Delbert Dalton and special friend, Melissa Woollums, all of Memphis; Mike Dalton and his wife, Robin, of Kahoka, Missouri and a sister, Lori Wilson and her husband, Kevin, of Memphis and his mother-in-law, Leora Finberg of Laurel, Montana.  He also leaves several nieces, nephews and a host of dear friends.