Ronald L. Dalton
October 20, 1937 ~ November 11, 2021
Born in:
Buncombe County, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Ronald Lloyd Dalton, 84, passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2021.
A Buncombe Co. native, Ronald was a son of the late Thomas Lloyd and Hannah Lou Hooper Dalton.
Ronald was a graduate of Sand Hill High School, Class of 1955. He then earned a B.S. in Education from Western Carolina University in 1960, where he was also a charter member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He then earned a master’s degree from Stetson University, Deland, FL, in 1966, and finally an Ed.S. degree, also from Western Carolina University, in 1986.
Mr. Dalton worked as the math and science teacher at Apopka High School, Apopka, FL beginning in 1960, before being named Assistant Principal of Ocoee High School, Ocoee, FL, in 1966. Two years later, he was named the Principal of A.C. Reynolds High School, Asheville, where he remained for 30 years until retirement. Mr. Dalton was so beloved at the school that the football stadium, home to many state championship winning Rockets teams, is named after him, R.L. Dalton Stadium.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Dalton received many accolades, including being inducted into the Rocket Hall of Fame (2006), being named the Principal of the Year, Buncombe Co. Schools (1990), and receiving the Florida Star Teacher Award in Ocoee, FL. He was also recognized by the Governor and Lt. Governor of North Carolina by being named to the The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. The distinction is awarded to persons for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina.
He was also a member of Oak Forest Presbyterian Church since 1949.
Mr. Dalton is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Davie Cavan Dalton; son, Thomas Dalton (Jennifer); brother, William Lee Dalton (Ann); brother-in-law, Hunter Davie Cavan (Phyllis); nephews, Russell Bradley and William Dalton; nieces, Tammie and Kim; and great-nephew, Hunter.
A memorial service will be held for Mr. Dalton on Sunday, December 12, at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity of Fairview Church before traveling to R.L. Dalton Stadium on the campus of A.C. Reynolds High School for further celebrations of Mr. Dalton’s life beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m. The service at Trinity of Fairview will be livestreamed on their social network pages. Pastor Stacey Harris, Trinity of Fairview, and Pastor Caitlin Johnson, Oak Forest Presbyterian Church, will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the R.L. Dalton Scholarship Fund, c/o Buncombe County Schools, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Memorial Service: December 12, 2021 2:30 pm
Trinity of Fairview
646 Concord Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
828-252-3535
Memorial Service: December 12, 2021 4:00 pm
A.C. Reynolds High School, R.L. Dalton Stadium
1 Rocket Dr.
Asheville, NC 28803
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Tommy I am so sorry about your dad he was a great man friend and principal always love talking to him every time I seen him after graduation will miss his smile his stories and seeing his beautiful cars AC Reynolds would not be there if it wasn’t for him praying for your family in time of need love you brother stay strong
Rest in peace, Mr. Dalton.
TinaBranksThrasher
I will forever remember “Mr. Dalton,” as principal, leader, and avid supporter of all things “Rocket.” He touched many thousands and will be missed. Well done, sir. Rest in peace.
I will never forget the morning announcements. You were the best. You made my high school years exciting and memorable.
Class of 1997
Mr. Dalton was one of the nicest and caring person I know. He was the best principal ever and will be remembered for his fairness to each and every student who went to A.C. Reynolds High School. My heart goes out to his wife and family and I pray God will wrap his loving arms around you all and give you the comfort you need during this most difficult time in your lives. God bless you all.
To Mr Dalton family. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Dawn calhoun acr class 1974
To Mr Daltons family you are in my thoughts and prayers dawn calhoun.
Class 1974
Mr Dalton had high expectations for his students and the teachers that worked for him. That is why AC Reynolds was one of the best schools in the state. He loved the school and sacrificed his personal life for it. I was privileged to coach and teach for him.
Mr. Dalton didn’t approach his position as principal of AC Reynolds High School as a job or career, but as a passion and calling. He bled Reynolds’ green. At the very start of my freshman year I got into a little bit of trouble and was called to his office. It was pretty intimidating to say the least. He was the first educator to talk to me as a man and challenged me to grow up. I walked out of that office a different person. The thousands of us who passed through that school were blessed. Class of ‘80
Rest In Peace, Ron.
Mr. Dalton was a fine man and set a standard.
1968 was a banner year. That’s the year Ron Dalton came in the door and changed ACR in a profound way. I remember the first school assembly in the auditorium when he stopped the proceedings and ordered his coaches to take out three young men who were not behaving well. The change was clear and immediate and from that point on my school experience there was a great joy. Thank you Ron for wonderful memories with discipline and respect. Greg Harris Glass 1971.
My sympathies and prayers are with the family. Mr Dalton was always the one person who you knew was going to be on your side and would fight for you if you were in the right. He will be missed greatly. 🚀
You leave quite the legacy and will never be forgotten!
Go Rockets!!
My mother said she wouldn’t let my two oldest siblings go to A.C. Reynolds because of the poor leadership and attitude of whoever was in charge there. Then Ron Dalton came home from Florida to take the principal position, and he changed things. Mom decided the two younger kids could go to Reynolds because it had improved so much. My brother ended up student body president (1974?), while I drove a school bus (under Mr. Ed Graham) and was active in theater.
Mr. Dalton and all of his administrators and teachers forever altered the attitude at and about A.C. Reynolds. What A.C. Reynolds became – and is known for today – is due to the hard work of many leaders along the way, but I believe it all began with Ron Dalton. I hope he truly enjoyed the many years of retirement after his hard work at Reynolds. The entire school district – and the county – will forever owe a debt of gratitude to Ronald Dalton.
RIP Mr Dalton, my high school years would not have the same without you running the ship and Jake running the library. May the lord give you rest and peace now. And his blessings I hope for your loved ones at this most difficult time.🙏
Thanks for letting us do our jobs to the best of our ability. Two Dalton rules for all at ACR: Be where you’re supposed to be; doing what you’re supposed to be doing. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Class of 1990! His pride for ACR will never be matched! He will be missed!
Sincere sympathy!
You did a wonderful job taking care of Ron and your Mother, too .
May God comfort you ; He will never leave you or forsake you .
Prayers all around 🙌
Class of ’88.
The lives touched, some perhaps changed forever, by Mr Dalton are insurmountable. Such a gift…such a legacy. Deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences. May God hold you close.
Rest in peace Mr. Dalton and thank you for helping launch so many Rockets.
Prayers for your family.
Class of ’84
Class of 82, Mr Dalton kept things in line, was a great principal. Praying for the family.
May the Lord be with your family during this time. Mr. Dalton was a great principal and we always enjoyed seeing him at football games when we had our reunions. He truly cared for each and every student.
My sympathies to the family of Mr. Dalton. He is an icon at ACR and the school would never have made the advances they have without his guidance. I remember many conversations with “RL”, some a little more stressful than others, but always held the utmost respect for him as a man and a leader. Rest in peace.
Ronald Dalton was a true inspiration to all his students and their parents and although he has moved on….he will not be forgotten. It was Ron Dalton that put AC Reynolds on the right track to academic and sports excellence. It’s because of him that I’m proud to say my children were AC Reynolds Rockets.
A great educator and leader of students…rest in peace Mr Dalton.
Mr Dalton was a true and fair man. He guided Reynolds H S through good times with a strong and caring attitude. He was an inspiration to many and will be kindly remembered
Kathleen Franklin/Gardner class of ’74
I went to another high school in Massachusetts for my first 2.5 years of high school and finished my last 1.5 years at AC Reynolds. I can’t remember the name of the principal up in MA but I fondly remember Mr. Dalton who helped me in the transition. He was a kind man. May he Rest In Peace.
Michael V McCanless MD
Class of 1974
Ron made a significant impact on my life as my Principle and as a relative. He always offered insightful guidance which I always took to heart, and I had the upmost respect for him. Carol, Tommy and Willam, and the rest of the family will always have a special place in my heart.
Mr. Dalton has always been THE standard for high school principals; he was involved in all of our activities, kept up with students who needed help, did not hesitate to call a student into his office for a “talk” to get that person straightened out, and proved himself a true friend to his students. He was the fuel in the Rockets. I remember seeing him at ball games, monitoring hallways, out in the parking lot, walking across campus mingling with students. He was a man of discipline, integrity, character. Our world needs more Mr. Daltons in our schools.
Mr. Dalton, Will be missed. He gave me a chance to teach and coach and for that I will forever be greatful.
Ron Dalton came to ACR three years before our freshman year. What a difference he made before we got there. ACR became THE school of our area. The students and staff took pride in our school-he did. We had student and parent pride, community pride. He stood up for our school with the county. He defended our school at times many students did not know what was just outside. Academics- became one of the best high schools in the state. Scholarships awarded like no other school. Athletics- the school to beat. Because of his leadership our children also enjoyed attending the “best school of all”. Not only was he a daytime principal but was there at so many events athletically, academically, school activities, recommending where we should not be. He provided a great staff and educators for us to be led by. Thru the many years after graduation and even at some of our more recent class reunions he still knew who we were by name, what we did, and still concerned about us. As PTA presidents my wife and I asked him to come speak to Fairview parents. WOW. He encouraged each. Suggested preparing for college and what choices to make for college or maybe not. Tommy-He talked about you. He was happy to have a fine son but apologized to you because he did sooo much for the students of ACR. He became a major influence for many students thru the years that most will never know. I hear from many even today. Thank you Mr. Dalton for what you have meant to our school.
Neil Carter Class of ’74
He touched countless lives. He will be missed and remembered by unimaginable numbers of silent, yet affected ACR students from years past.
We were very blessed to have Mr. Dalton at our school and in our lives. ACR was THE school of our area and it was all due to this one special man.
He saw something in every student they didn’t see in themselves. Mr. Dalton had a calling in life and he mastered his position above and beyond.
Yep, he bled Reynolds’ green. Thank you Mr. Dalton for everything you did, were, and meant to A.C. Reynolds High School. May you rest in peace.
Teresa Swann – ACR Class of ’74.
I am so sorry for your loss. I will never forget the positive impact he had on my life as a student at ACR. God bless you all.
So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. My deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family.
Mr Dalton was a great educator and principal. He cared about ACR more than anyone. He was at every event that Reynolds participated in and built Reynolds to being a great school for the students and the community. He will truly be miss and he was truly the “Rocket man “. God bless you and your family.
The two things that I will remember about Mr. Dalton are. The first is the rule be where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing. The other is when he would tell us the time during his morning announcements. At the sound of the tone, it is 8:00. The tone was him hitting the desk. He was an awesome principal. He will be greatly missed!!
Staci Dyer
ACR class of 1990.
Mr. Dalton will be a great loss to friends, family, and communities that he served.
Mr. Dalton will be a great loss to friends, family, and the communities that he served.