Dale J. Peyton

Dale Jackson Peyton was born into a strong farming family, January 21, 1932, in Sac County, Iowa.  His parents were Jenny (Jackson) and Leslie Peyton.  On September 8, 2025, at the age of 93 years, 7 months, and 18 days, he passed peacefully in his sleep to his Heavenly home.

From early life Dale loved all of nature.  He worked the farm-land for its bountiful crops.  He learned the habits of local wildlife, which gave him an advantage as a trapper and hunter.  His trapping skills lured everything from opossums to mink into his traps.  During deer hunting season, Dale was often the first one home with the meat.  Hunting buddies jokingly accused him of taking truck rides with the deer during the off season.  He was, in fact, a true, honorable sportsman.

Dale graduated from Lakeview High School in 1950.  As a graduation gift, Uncle Sam sent him a draft notice to fight in the Korean War.  After a romantic elopement with his sweetheart, Polly, he joined the United States Army to honorably serve his country.  As a soldier, Dale was specially trained as a radioman, a medic, and an excellent marksman with the Browning Automatic Rifle.

Following his discharge from the Army, Dale graduated from the University of Northern Arizona.  He was recruited straight out of college by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to open a new field office in Dallas, Texas.  At the office, he was a charter member of the self-proclaimed “Knights of the Round Table,” a good-natured group of comrades and practical jokesters.  Dale’s title was that of Inspector.  He was required to travel throughout the State where he inspected the processes of various companies.  Because of his tenacious style, he gained a state-wide reputation with management as “Columbo of the FDA.”  His career with the FDA spanned an impressive 33 years.

Farmer, outdoorsman, and woodsman were traits that followed Dale throughout his life.  Long before he retired from the FDA, he purchased his farm, 60 acres of native loblolly pine trees in far East Texas.  The farm lovingly became known as the Peyton Pine Derosa.  While he hunted and trapped with each season, he steadily cleared the thick underbrush that grew beneath the pines.

One day while clearing brush with his tractor, it turned over on his body.  It was a narrow escape from death.  That experience convicted him with the knowledge his life was always in God’s hands.  That day, Dale dedicated his life to the Lord and lived the rest of his years with renewed faith and focus.

Because of Dale’s knowledge and dedication to forestry, the Peyton Pine Derosa was awarded the Northern Zone Winner of Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year, 2001.  In 2002, he earned recognition as a Certified Forest Steward by the Texas A&M Forest Service, an honor bestowed only on landowners who managed their land to sound Stewardship principals.

Dale was quick witted and enjoyed a good joke.  He was honest, generous, hard-working, a true-blue friend, a devoted family man, and a faithful follower of Christ.

Dale was preceded in death by his son, Steve and a son-in-law, Harold.  Left to honor his memory are his wife of 72 years, Polly; his children, Peggy Gardner, Alan (Vickie) Peyton, Sherry Peyton, Pam (Neil) Price, Penny (Jim) Davis, and Amy (Bobby) Deets; as well as an adoring mass of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Lives forever changed.

An intimate graveside ceremony is planned for Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM.  Dale will be laid to rest in Pyland Cemetery near his beloved Pine Derosa.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Center. Services are under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs.