Born September 23, 1938, in Waco, Texas, Dr. Gordon Dennis Dalton died peacefully in his Dallas home on August 7, 2024. He is survived by his sister, Sylvia Dalton Atkins, Valerie Bracchi, his neice, and Luke Hoerner, his great nephew, all living in Dallas, Tx.
During his early years, Dennis began to study piano, one of the lasting loves of his life. He started Baylor University School of Music when he was only 16 years old, and earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in 1959.
While pursuing a master's degree in piano at The University of North Texas, he began to read the works of Carl Jung. This awakened his second great love, the study of psychiatry. He had to leave his study just before finishing his Masters of Music degree to return to Baylor to get the science required to enter medical school.
Dennis went on to Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston, and upon his graduation on June 10, 1966, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree and the award for Excellence in Psychiatry for all four years of his study. After his graduation from medical school in the morning of June 10, that same afternoon, Dr. Dalton performed what would have been his piano recital had he been able to complete his studies toward a Master of Music Degree.
During the next years, Dr. Dalton completed his Residency in Psychiatry at Columbia University of Physicians and Surgeons in 1970, and having begun his advanced training in psychoanalysis, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and returned to complete his training and receive his diploma in Psychoanalytic Medicine in November 1977.
While in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Dalton served as Division Psychiatrist for the Third Marine Division in Okinawa and as Commanding Officer of Delta Company Third Medical Battalion, followed by Chief of Psychiatry and Neurology at St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York 1971-72.
Dr. Dalton returned to Columbia University in 1972 where he was Clinical Instructor, Attending Physician and Supervising Psychiatrist at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital from 1972-1980, and Director of Adolescent Psychiatry at New York State Psychiatric Institute from 1972-76.
Upon returning to Dallas, Dr. Dalton was a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Department of Psychiatry from 1980-89. Dr. Dalton held various other positions during the coming years.
In 1989, Dennis confronted his own alcoholism, and entered the MARR treatment program for Recovering Professionals in Atlanta, Georgia, where he began his lifelong recovery. From his own sobriety forward, Dr. Dalton's passion was to bring the gift of sobriety and recovery to others, both in his psychiatric practice, Twelve Step Programs for alcohol and addiction, and helping other physicians on their path to recovery from different forms of addiction.
For over twenty years until 2022, Dr. Dalton served as Medical Director at Burning Tree Ranch in Kaufman, Texas, where he was the treating physician and psychiatrist for all clients. His love for both the patients and staff at Burning Tree was deep, and he considered his time there as a gift of opportunity for him to make a meaningful contribution to the recovery of the many clients and patients he served there. Dr. Dalton's service at Burning Tree contributed to the center's reputation as the "nation's only authentic long-term treatment program."
Dr. Dennis Dalton had a deep and enduring passion for helping others get sober and stay sober. He walked through recovery with many patients and friends. He never lost his gratitude for his own sobriety and his passion for helping others find their own unique path through the complexities involved in recovering from addiction.
For a span of 30 years, Dr. Dalton enjoyed traveling in Italy, always ending with a long stay at the Cipriani Hotel in Venice, his "second home." He was sad that he would miss his trip to see his many friends this year.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, TX.
Donations in memory of Dr. Dalton to: MARR Addiction Treatment Centers, St. Jude Childrens' Hospital, North Texas Food Bank, or Boys Town.
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