Terry Park Dalton

Terry Park Dalton, wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away on the 17th of October 2011 in Houston, Texas, while surrounded by her loving family. Terry served as a singular example to everyone who knew her for her grace, integrity, and unconditional love. She devoted her life to her family, friends, and serving others. At her core, she was always the teacher who educated her students via specific lessons on economics, geography and history or through the tremendous example she set in her passion for life and her love of people. She was a classic beauty with red hair and a smile that exuded warmth and would light up a room. In her outward appearance, Terry personified elegance and class but she was even more beautiful on the inside. Everyone who had the benefit of knowing Terry loved her for her innate sweetness and her accessibility. Strangers within a short time would often be sharing intimate details about their own lives because of her ability to listen and provide support as needed.

Terry was born in Beaumont, Texas on the 13th of February 1942 to Robert Homer Park and Elizabeth Jane Tipps Park. During her time in Beaumont, she initiated her lifelong love of horses and was an accomplished equestrian. She moved to Houston in 1954, graduating from Lamar High School in 1960 and meeting her future husband Mike in the process. Terry graduated from the University of Texas in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Mike and Terry married in 1966 and Terry attended a Masters program in history and geography while Mike completed his courses at University of Texas Law School. After graduation, Mike and Terry returned to Houston where he began his law career and she returned to teaching. Terry had two different teaching careers at Memorial High School in Spring Branch ISD and ultimately became certified to teach the gifted and talented. She was a passionate educator devoted to both the quality of the curriculum and her student's success.

Terry was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, the Junior League, the Garden Club of Houston, and served in numerous leadership positions at the Kinkaid School. The friends that she made as a member of the Garden Club of Houston were a source of pleasure for her over the years and they elected her President from 2005-2006. The trips she took with her fellow members along with her participation and involvement in the Annual Bulb Mart and Florescence serve as some of Terry's greatest memories. She pursued her deep love of gardening with her friends, family and husband until her death.

Terry was once an avid tennis player, but later in life turned to playing bridge, reading the most current books, and especially babysitting her grandchildren. She also loved traveling with her husband through France and Italy and accompanying him on his many golf trips to England, Ireland and Scotland.

Terry is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Elizabeth. She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Mike; devoted sons, Donald Mark Dalton and Michael Park Dalton and wife, Wendy; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Bailey Dalton and Michael Park Dalton, Jr.; brother, Robert Lyle Park; stepmother-in-law, Pat Dalton; two nieces, Tracy and Caroline Park; nephew, Robert Park; great niece, Kendall Rapalo; cousin, Claire Slaymaker and husband, Rob; and their son, Christopher.

Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share rememebrances of Terry from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Thursday, the 20th of October, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 21st of October, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Terry Dalton's name be directed to the Multiple Myeloma Clinic at MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX, 77210-4486; or to the charity of one's choice .