Dayton Russell Foote was born in Chariton, Iowa on December 23, 1929. His family moved to California when he was 11, and Dayton joined the Marines after high school. He left the Marines in 1959 as a Lance Corporal and became a Fire Marshall for Santa Clara County, California. He then became Fire Chief for the University of California Berkeley and retired in 1982. Everyone that knew Dayton knew his extreme loyalty to the Fire Department and his passion for his job.

Dayton moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2001, and met Margaret Wyko in 2002. They married at Church of the Apostles, Tucson, Arizona in 2004. Dayton was very vocal about the fact that Margaret was the love of his life, and his only regret is that they didn’t meet sooner.

One of Dayton’s greatest joys were his three great-grandchildren; Cole, Natalie & Claire, and he would tell anyone that would listen!

Dayton died at home on August 29th according to his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking that donations be made to The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at www.firehero.org/donate/


The Firefighters 23rd Psalm

The Lord is My Chief.

He has chosen me to serve.

He leads me to still the fires raging around me.

He restores my soul to fight even when all seems lost.

He has prepared for me a place in life, devoted to service, honor, joy and fellowship.

He anoints my soul with courage in the presence of my enemy; fire.



Yes, even though I have chosen to walk through life in the shadow of death,

I will fear no fire, for He is with me; his strength will comfort me.

And when life’s final alarm for me has sounded,

I will dwell in the Station House of the Lord forever.


Amen