Dana Aldrich Middleton

Dana was born in Cleveland Heights, OH, to Claude W. and B. Elizabeth “Betty” Middleton. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in Government. He married his college sweetheart, Marilyn Wright, later that year. Dana was hired by the National Security Agency, where he worked for over 30 years. During that time, he attended the Army War College in Carlisle, PA, where he earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree.

Upon Dana’s retirement from government service, he and Marilyn moved to the Greenbrier community in New Bern in 1991. They both volunteered during fund drives at Public Radio East. They enjoyed traveling within the U.S. and loved cruising to foreign ports. Dana enjoyed golf and was an active member of The Emerald’s Mens Golf Association and the Tidewater Seniors until physical challenges forced him to give up the game he loved. Dana was also an avid philatelist, acquiring an extensive collection of U.S. stamps, with an additional focus on stamps from Thailand, the UK, Hong Kong, and several other countries.

Dana is predeceased by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his children, Sharon Rhoton (New Bern, NC) and Alan Middleton (Columbus, OH), grandchildren Kimberly (Columbia, MD), Em (Columbus, OH), and Robert (Richmond, VA) and great-granddaughter Alexis (Columbia, MD).

Dana will be laid to rest next to Marilyn in a family service at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dana’s honor to Merci Clinic in New Bern (merciclinic.org) or Public Radio East (publicradioeast.org).

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.cottenfuneralhome.com