Matthew Richard Dalton

JEROME • Matthew Richard Dalton, 57, left this world Monday, Oct. 29, 2012.

Matt was born March 28, 1955, in Nyssa, Ore., to Mollie Rae Baker and Richard Dalton, their fourth of seven children. He graduated from Hagerman High School in 1973, where he was involved with athletics and FFA. He served an LDS mission in 1976 to 1978 to Hawaii, where he developed a deep love for the island people. He attended Brigham Young University as an ag science major until he was called home to work on his family farm.

 In 1980, he met the woman of his dreams. He married the love of his life, Kari Lee Krieger, for time and all eternity June 18, 1981, in Logan Utah LDS Temple. He and his wife were blessed with five children that they taught to work alongside them. They lived in the Hagerman area until 1995 and then transplanted outside Snowville, Utah, where Matt managed a horse and cattle operation until 2004. Then he and his family moved to Island Park to manage a guest ranch. He stayed in the area until after the death of his sweet companion in 2011. He then returned to the Magic Valley to be close to his family. 

He loved the land and animals. Matt was a hard worker who found great satisfaction in a job well done. He devoted much of his time in service to his church. He had a thirst for knowledge and was an avid reader. He was a doting husband, especially as he courageously fought alongside his wife as she battled cancer. He was the world’s greatest dad and he left his children with many life lessons.

Our loving father is survived by his children, Melissa (Wayde) Stanger of Twin Falls, Daniel (Jesse Mae) Dalton of Lakeside, Neb., Kyle (Brittany) of Carey, Kalee (Vince) Haley of Rexburg and Elder Jared Dalton serving in Perth, Australia; his grandchildren. Dalton, Emma and Christian Stanger, and Cinch and Chauncey Dalton; and his siblings, Sue (Mike) Madarieta of Boise, Sylvia (Kevin) Ellis of Richfield, Roberta (Craig) Thompson of Merdian, Rex (Elaine) Dalton of Gooding, Barry (Dodi) Dalton of Shoshone and Nancy (Doug) Surerus of Carey. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kari Lee Krieger Dalton; and his parents, Richard Hyde and Mollie Rae Dalton of Hagerman.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at the Jerome 3rd Ward building, 825 E. Ave. B in Jerome. The family will greet friends from 2 p.m. until service time in the Relief Society room. Burial will follow at the Hagerman Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray-Robertson Funeral Chapel in Jerome.