James Michael Dayton, 55, of Mechanicsville, Md., passed away on July 15, 2011, in California, Md. He was born on January 30, 1956, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sheri Lee Dayton whom he married on June 17, 1978 in Garden Grove, California.

He is also survived by his father James Leroy Dayton and beloved step-mother Jean Hottle Dayton of Mechanicsville, and mother Delia Platt Dayton of Charlotte Hall, daughters Crystal Ann (Rick) Bozart of Virginia Beach, Va., Stephanie Michelle Dayton of Mechanicsville, granddaughter Samantha of Virginia Beach, brothers Mark Alan (Misti) Dayton of Lexington Park, and Kenneth J. Dayton of Great Mills, nephews Kevin Michael Dayton and Patrick Neal Dayton of Leonardtown and niece Erica Katherine Dayton of Great Mills. He is also survived by several uncles and cousins in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Oregon.

He was predeceased by his sister Katherine Marie Halm.

James "Jim" Dayton attended Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Md. and graduated in 1974. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served until 1978 when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. He then worked for Dynalectron (later DynCorp) at the USN Test Pilot School as a maintenance supervisor for four years before deciding to re-enlist in the US Navy. His service in the Navy included tours in A-6 Intruder squadrons and several ships company tours aboard LHA amphibious assault ships and CVN aircraft carriers. He completed his 24 years of active duty at NAVAIRSYSCOM, NAS Patuxent River, Md., having attained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer (AFCM). At the time of his passing, he was employed as a civilian federal employee as a Deputy Asst. Program Manager for Logistics for the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System, X-47B.

Jim was an avid aviation enthusiast. He was certified as a FAA Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic (IA) and Commercial Pilot with ratings in fixed wing and glider aircraft. He was a widely admired pilot and mechanic whose knowledge was as wide as it was deep. His opinion mattered to people because they knew it was well thought out. Jim was in the process of assembling a replica of the 1911 Wright Brothers glider that he intended to fly as part of the "Soaring 100" anniversary of the first glider flights at Kitty Hawk, NC. This early research was what gave the Wright brothers the knowledge they needed to pursue powered flight. His version of this glider was true to the materials and practices of the time. Jim was a member of the Vintage Sailplane Association, Cessna Pilots Association, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

He often said that his favorite thing to do was jump in the car with his beloved wife Sheri for a weekend and "see where the road takes us." He said they found the best things by not looking for them.

The family will receive friends at their home in Mechanicsville, Md., for a wake and remembrance on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, between 5:00 and 8:00 pm. Internment will be at a later date.

Donations may be sent to Sheri Dayton for the completion of the 1911 Wright Glider Project in memory of Jim Dayton.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.