James Joseph "Joe" Dalton

James Joseph “Joe” Dalton, 84, of Grand Ridge, FL, died Wednesday, July 15, 2026. He was born and raised in Havana, Florida and graduated from Havana High School.

After high school, he joined the Marines and served for 15 years. Joe then joined the Georgia Army National Guard and served an additional 25 years. In addition to his 40 years of military service, he was a member of the Marine Corps League, Sunny Hill Pentecostal Holiness Church and a 30-year member of the Gideons, Banks/Jackson Camp. After his time in the Marines, he became a warden with the Georgia Department of Corrections, where he worked for many years before his first, and second, retirements.

Joe was a hardworking and loyal man. He provided for his family and cherished time spent with them. He was a faithful husband, wonderful father and grandfather, and devoted Christian. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, memorizing the Bible, fishing and his pets, Indy, his dog, and Tony, his cat.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Abby Dalton; his brothers, Herschel, Hardy, and Bill; and his sisters, Lillian, Doris, and Betty.

Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Caroline Parker Dalton of Grand Ridge; son, Jeffery Dalton (Ivana) of Mt. Airy, GA; daughter, Milinda Giddy (James) of Arab, AL; grandchildren, Tristan, Adelide, Joshua, Jonas, and Saide; sister-in-law, Linda Sue Deese Coburn (Sonny); brother-in-law, Harold Parker (Angela), and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral service will be 2 PM EST on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Tallahassee National Cemetery with William Coburn officiating and James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 PM CST Sunday, July 19, 2026, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Gideons International or Ezra International.