SFC (Ret) Dalton Everett Graham

Sergeant First Class (Ret) Dalton Everett Graham, age 84, of Ringgold, GA, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026. Mr. Graham, son of the late George William Graham and Jennie Brion, was born on July 15th, 1941, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. During his childhood in New Jersey, Dalton was raised on a dairy farm and enjoyed spending time with his father and constructing things. He attended High School in Dover, NJ, where his love of flying began, as he was featured in a local newspaper for buzzing over a local school in a small airplane. Dalton later enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 as a Sergeant First Class Gunsmith and served his country for 23 years. He was stationed in many places including Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri), Fort Benning (Georgia), Fort Meade (Maryland) and Korea. Dalton served in Vietnam and was a Gunsmith on the U.S. Olympic Marksmanship Team. While in Vietnam, Dalton worked on a ship repairing parts for helicopters. Dalton also taught a gunsmithing glass for the National Rifle Association in Trinidad, CO. After retiring from the military, Dalton settled in Georgia. Dalton was the proud owner of Graham Custom Arms/Machine Shop starting in Graysville, GA and relocating to Rock Spring, GA, where he used his skills and love of tinkering to create custom machinery. In his later years, he worked in Walker County, GA and Warner Robins, GA, as a school bus driver. Mr. Graham had an adventurous spirit, which led to a lifetime of travels including Egypt, Israel and locations across the U.S. Included in his adventures, were many hours spent in the cockpit of a private airplane, as he was a member of the Moccasin Flying Club and earned his Pilot’s License. Dalton had a great love of knowledge, which extended to all his children. His love of knowledge led to his enjoyment of modern technology, which included drones, computers and especially cellphones. He always loved having the latest model! He was an avid Wal-Mart customer, where he enjoyed talking to everyone he met. Dalton was blessed with a boisterous personality and loud laughter, as he enjoyed conversing with others and making lasting friendships. His love for Jesus Christ was an important part of his life, as he shared his testimony through song, aided in local outreach programs, and volunteered at church. Dalton had a great singing voice and loved oldies and gospel music. Dalton is preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Graham, grandparents, George Washington and Eva Graham, and siblings, Shirley, Elizabeth, George and Walter. Dalton is survived by his wife of ten years, Eloise Graham of Ringgold, GA and six children: Wendy (Cris) Beveridge of Springfield, VA, Carolyn (Bill) Wenn of Fort Valley, VA , Dalton W. (Allison) Graham of Auburn, KY, Rebekah (Casey) Vaughn of Rock Spring, GA, Isaac (Kaitlyn) Graham of Rock Spring, GA and Rachel Leah (Harley) Graham-Brufladt of Grand Rapids, MI. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Ashley (Ryan) Flaherty, Marianne (Brandon) Drury, W. Graham (Zillah) Wenn, Isabelle (Jeremy) Funk, Casey Wenn, Baylee Graham, Kali Howard, Dalton R. Graham, Lukas Howard, Layla Graham and Evelyn Graham. Along with 5 great-grandchildren: Colton, Isla, Jeremiah, Scarlett and Barrett. Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 at the chapel of: Wilson Funeral Home, Wallis-Stewart Chapel, 443 Boynton Drive, Ringgold, GA. Rev. Joey Kelly will be officiating the service at 4pm EST. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the funeral home from 2-4pm EST. Interment will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 at 1pm EST.

SFC (Ret) Dalton Everett Graham

July 15, 1941 - February 17, 2026