Gerald Daulton

Reprinted from the Kentucky Post Featured Obituary, August 23, 2007:

Gerald D. Daulton served two tours in Vietnam and owned 35 different Corvettes through the years.

"He loved his country and he loved his Corvettes, " said his friend and neighbor, Kim Zink of Union.

Mr. Daulton died of lung cancer Tuesday at St. Luke Hospital West in Florence. He was 60.

He was a retired shipping supervisor at Aristech Acrylics in Florence, where he worked 30 years.

Mr. Daulton was a member of Pohlmann-Linnemann VFW Post No. 1484 in Park Hills.

He served seven years in the U.S. Army, was a staff sargeant and was awarded numerous medals, including the Bronze Star, for his two tours in Vietnam.

"He was very proud to be a veteran," said Zink. "He had a great love of his country and was dedicated to the president of our country because he was the commander in chief."

Mr. Daulton's hobby was cars and he was an accomplished mechanic.

"He could take a car completely apart and put it back together," said Zink. "He was so big into Corvettes that he had 35 different Corvettes during his life."

Mr. Daulton had an engaging personality.

"He was one of those guys you were instantly magnetized to," said Zink. "He was a big man with a bigger heart. When any of his friends fell on hard times, whatever was in his pocket soon left his pocket. If a friend didn't have enough money to buy Christmas presents for his children, Gerry bought presents for them."

Mr. Daulton loved children even though he had none of his own.

"He was like a godfather to my two daughters," said Zink. "He took care of his mother and was a very respectful son. He was a gentle giant, a very quiet, proud man."