James "Jim" Dalton, 88, of Decatur, GA, passed away on July 20, 2024 at home surrounded by loved ones, after a short battle with Interstitial Pulmonary Disease.

Jim was born to Camilla and Carroll Dalton in Davenport, Iowa. After Jim graduated from high school, he pursued his education at Iowa State where he met his wife, Judith "Judy". He later transferred  to Macalester College where he completed his BA degree. After graduation, he attended the University of Chicago earning  a Degree in Theology.  Jim and Judy then moved back to Iowa where Jim worked for John Deere until 1968.  He then moved his family to Cottage Grove, Minnesota to work for The Saint Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press in their market research department.  While working in Saint Paul, Jim returned to college attending Saint Thomas University where he earned his MBA. Jim and Judy were ahead of their time when they opened a preschool in Saint Paul from 1972 until 1974.

In 1977, Jim moved his family down to Stone Mountain, Ga and was very happy to leave his snow shovel in MN. Jim worked for The Atlanta Journal and Constitution as Market Research Director for 6 years. He went to Bell South in 1983 to continue his market research career. While his daughters were attending college, Jim taught night classes at both Georgia State University as well as Oglethorpe University in market research.  In 1993 Jim retired from Bell South and started his own research company Dalton Research.

Jim was an active member of Central Congregational Church for 46 years.  He served as a trustee and treasurer. He also had 20 years of service at Plymouth Harbor, a day time adult care program, held at the church and was an active member of the retired men's breakfast.  

Jim was predeceased by his parents, brother Richard Dalton, brother-in-law Norman Pagels and daughter Wendy Carroll. He is survived by Judy his wife of 65 years, sister Dorothy "Dotti" Pagels, daughter Christina "Tina" Vaux, and her husband Joseph "Joe" Vaux,  four grandchildren Katherine and her husband David, Rowyn and her partner Al, Dalton and Colin as well as four great grandchildren, Sawyer, Fritz, Fletcher and Simon. Along with many nieces and nephews who have fond memories of his humor and his love of theme parks.

 His memorial service will be held at Central Congregational Church UCC,  2676 Clairmont Rd.  Atlanta, GA 30329 on Saturday August 24th at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the church for the Plymouth Harbor program.

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