Donald Joseph Layton

Donald Joseph Layton, 83, of Redlands, California, passed away January 3, 2018 from natural causes.

Don was born May 13, 1934 in Jersey City, New Jersey, to John Henry and Myrendia (Hendrickson) Layton. His siblings, who all predeceased him, were John (Myles) Layton, Walter J. Layton and Viola Shields.
Don attended Lakewood High School graduating in 1953.  He then joined the U.S. Army and while stationed at Ford Ord in Northern California met San Jose State College student, Velva Lee Robinson, at a church social. They then embarked on a long distance relationship between where he was stationed in Germany and California (their love letters are legendary). After his discharge, dad traveled across the United States in his Volkswagen Bug, depleting his life savings while gambling in Las Vegas.  Don and Velva married on July 27, 1957 in Bakersfield, California. He later attended Bakersfield College and Fresno State University, leaving college early to concentrate on providing for his family.
Don spent his career in the Oil Industry beginning at Tidewater Oil in 1963 continuing on at Phillips 66 and Tosco Petroleum, retiring in 2000 in Redlands, CA.  During retirement he consulted with New West Petroleum for a few years, playing golf while schmoozing customers at industry tournaments. Outside of work, while they were able, Don and Velva attended Pathway Church.
In his later years dad enjoyed puttering around in his canyon, helping his sons with household projects, doting on his grandchildren, perusing yard sales and traveling with dear friends, Dick and Anne Clayton.
Don leaves behind his beautiful wife of 60 years, Velva Lee Layton, his daughter, Brenda Smith (husband Patrick) sons Barry Layton and Brian Layton (wife Heather); grandchildren, Britny Bay (husband Andy), Brandon Layton, Krystalyn (Layton) Smith, Kate Ethridge, Kaitlin Smith and Nina Layton; and great grandchildren AJ Bay, Tailyn Smith and Baylie Bay.
Dad had a friendly, vibrant personality and loved his wife and family deeply. While he could be a little cantankerous at times, dad was always generous with time, advice, resources and emotional support.  Not a day will go by that every single member of his family won’t miss him terribly.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Pathway Church, Redlands, CA or the American Heart Association.
Memorial Services are set for January 26, 2018 at 1:00pm at Pathway Church, 611 E Cypress, Redlands, CA 92374.