Dayton Hoyt Elsworth Lashley was born in Panama City, FL on October 3, 1933, so special that his parents, John Thomas and Zora Devane Lashley, gifted him with four names.

Dayton was a determined and hardworking man, beginning his career at the age of 11 delivering newspapers to the homes along a dirt road in Panama City. He met his high school sweetheart, Mary Carolyn Dorman Lashley, at Bay High School and joined the Army at the age of 17. From the stories he told his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many shenanigans ensued. In 1951, he married his sweetheart and in 1953, the light of his life, Patsy Nell Lashley Jordan, was born.

After leaving the Army in 1953, he accepted a position with Shell Oil Company, a crossroads decision that turned out to be one of the most important in his life. He worked his way up within the company, moving between many of the Southeast states before settling in Tampa, FL as the General Manager of Shell Oil Company's Tampa plant. In 1992, he retired and he, Carolyn, and Pat moved back home to Panama City.

When Carolyn passed away in 1998, he was grief-stricken but in 1999, God sent him an angel, Mary Jo Gay, who remained his special friend and confidant for 23 years. They did everything together: traveling far and wide, playing cards, and enjoying dinners. Her family became his family, a bond that will always remain.

For many years, he worked hard to give his family the life he didn't have growing up. He instilled in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren the values of honor, courage, hard work, and how to pinch pennies without sacrificing quality of life. To his grandchildren, Dayton was a hero. He taught them how to fish, how to dock a boat, how to scale a fish, and how to drive a motorhome, among other things, but most importantly, how to love others relentlessly. For that, his family will always be grateful.

For 88 years, Dayton built a beautiful life and left a legacy that will carry on through those who loved him. He greeted his wife and daughter in heaven on May 6, 2022.

Dayton leaves behind his grandchildren: Lisa Marie Jordan and Frederick Robert "Bob" Jordan, IV (Tanya); his great-grandchildren, Christian Zane Ashby, Gavin Rigel Ashby, Haven Noelle Jordan, and his namesake, Dayton Robert Jordan; his special friend, Mary Jo Gay; and numerous brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Dayton was predeceased by his wife, Mary Carolyn Dorman Lashley, and his daughter, Patsy Nell Lashley Jordan.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 11th at 11:00am in the Chapel at Wilson Funeral Home, Panama City. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:00-11:00am. A committal will follow the service at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.