James Lawrence "Cricket" Dayton

life story

About Jim

James Lawrence Dayton (60) died on Tuesday, October 14, at Hennepin County Medical Center, after a cardiac arrest caused by complications of diabetes. He was born in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, to Charles K. and Kathleen Hanegan Dayton on November 29, 1964. His rich early learning experiences were in daycare centers founded by his mother. Jim was a curious kid who learned to read early and read things like almanacs for fun. He memorized the names of presidents and vice presidents and read their biographies. During a childhood White House visit, adults around him gawked as he identified the subjects in the presidential portraits.

Jim loved theater and got himself involved in Children’s Theater in Minneapolis. From age 12 through high school he acted in a dozen plays there. He also attended and graduated from the Children’s Theater High School. At the family cabin on Jasper Lake near Ely, he regularly danced on the beach and sang songs from his latest productions. He attended Carnegie-Mellon University for a year, transferred to the University of Minnesota for two years, and completed his undergraduate degree in television production at U.S. International University at San Diego.

Returning to Minneapolis, he worked for Best Buy, completed an MBA, and became an accountant for Super Value. He was a good skier, speeding down the expert trails in Colorado until his battle with Parkinson’s disease made both work and skiing impossible.

For his last 25 years Jim lived with stubborn independence despite disabling diabetes and Parkinson’s. His roommate and best friend, Matthew Butts, shared that battle. As their disabilities increased they managed to stay connected with friends and family while refusing help until absolutely necessary. The unique brotherhood of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus (TCGMC) brought them into a warm and supportive community. Jim’s greatest joys in those years were singing in the TCGMC, winning almost every game of Scrabble he played, keeping abreast of political developments, and enjoying his beloved Jasper Lake. His family feels that that Jim’s generous choice to donate his organs and tissues is a true expression of who he was and a blessing.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Kathleen Dayton, grand-nephew Emerson Dayton, and his best friend, Matthew Butts. He is survived by his father Charles Dayton, his stepmother Sara Evans, brother Michael, nephews, Aaron and Jason (Holly), grand-nephew Finley, and grand-niece, Ember, and a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins who will miss his presence and wonderful hugs.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

November 29, 2025

Minneapolis Cider Company 701 SE 9th St, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA

A celebration of life will be held at 3pm CST on November 29, 2025, in the Haralson Room of the Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE 9 th Street, Minneapolis MN 55414. Reception to follow.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services