Frederick Earl "Fred" Dayton, II

Frederick Earl Dayton, II (Fred), 81, of Walkersville, Maryland, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family and best friend. He was the loving husband of Dottie Dayton for 56 years.

Born on May 9, 1943, in Keyser, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Frederick Earl Dayton and Helen Elizabeth (Pierce) Dayton.

Fred graduated from Bruce High School, in Westernport, Maryland. After high school Fred earned his bachelor’s degree from State Teachers College at Frostburg (now Frostburg University) in Frostburg, Maryland. Fred would go on to earn his master’s degree from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), in Westminster, Maryland.

Fred began his teaching career in Alleghany County, Maryland. In 1968, he moved to Frederick County, Maryland, after accepting a teaching position at Governor Thomas Johnson Junior-Senior High School. In addition to teaching mathematics, he served as the assistant varsity basketball coach at TJ High School. After becoming aware of student interest, Fred started the boys’ soccer program there and the first varsity team played in 1974, with Fred as their head coach. During his early years at TJ he also assisted in the implementation, and running of, a program to help troubled youth at the school. He would later become an administrator and served various schools throughout Frederick County as an Assistant Principal and Principal. Fred dedicated his career to educating, mentoring, and coaching until his retirement in 1998. Fred didn’t stay “retired” long as he soon went back into the schools as a school support teacher, tutor, and to fill in as an administrator, until 2007.

Fred loved all sports, but anyone who knew him knew his real love was basketball. If Fred wasn’t playing in a rec league, he was coaching one. He volunteered to coach and was not one to turn down the opportunity to be part of a team. Whether it was basketball, baseball, soccer, football, bowling, golfing, or tennis, he found joy in athletics. Fred believed sports, as well as academics, helped shape young people. He was a patient and kind man with the ability to teach and coach all kids from all walks of life. Even as Fred aged, he continued to play basketball on Sunday evenings and, until his health declined, he regularly golfed with his sons and friends. Fred’s energy and love for the game were unmatched.

Fred’s love of sports and dedication to his career were only surpassed by his love and devotion to his family. He was a family man first. Fred and Dottie met, fell in love, were married March 29, 1969, and raised their three children together. Fred taught his children the meaning of hard work and responsibility and led by example. He took pride in all their accomplishments. If he wasn’t coaching the team, they always knew he would be in the stands or on the sidelines cheering, despite the distances he and Dottie would sometimes need to travel. He instilled in them a respect for education and encouraged them to pursue higher learning. He, with Dottie, provided a place his children knew they could always call home. Fred’s unwavering love and support of his family will be missed beyond words. His example will serve as a legacy for generations.

Fred loved being Poppy to his four grandchildren. As little kids they all clamored for the opportunity to ride with him on his lawnmower, and he always indulged them. He was known for taking a young Nicholas to the comic bookstore whenever asked and was a steady loving presence for him over the years. He spent every New Year’s Eve with Zachary, Nathan, and Natalie. He and Dottie hosted a party including all the snacks and drinks they requested, wearing the party hats and blowing the horns with them, and toasting to a new year surrounded by them. He served as “advisor” when important strategy decisions came up during rousing games of Monopoly and offered suggestions for the best hiding spots during hide and seek. He never missed a birthday celebration and he and Dottie made the holidays memorable. There was no amount of spoiling them that was “too much,” for Poppy.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Frederick Earl Dayton, III (Rick), Michael Wesley Dayton, Jennifer Beatrice Dayton (Jeremy Kaikko), his four grandchildren, Nicholas Robert Dayton (Stephanie Van), Zachary Taylor Dayton, Nathan Dayton Kaikko and Natalie Beatrice Dayton Kaikko. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Ann (Dayton) Ferrebee and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law William and Uli Taylor. He has many nieces and nephews who he dearly loved.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Richard Gough and his staff for the tremendous care, kindness, and support they provided over the years. The family also wishes to thank the Walkersville Fire and Rescue personnel, the Frederick Health Hospital staff, and Frederick Health Hospice for their care over the years and recent months.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, and Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.

A celebration of Fred’s life journey will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Walkersville High School Athletic Boosters or the Walkersville Volunteer Fire/Rescue Company.