Eugene “Gene” Dalton, 79, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy. Born on November 21, 1946, in Carroll County, Virginia, Gene was the son of the late Dorothy Miller Dalton and Elias Dalton of Sylvatus, Virginia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Margaret Ann “Chick” Quesenberry of Barren Springs, Virginia. His outstanding work earned him numerous photography awards, including a First Place award in the Annual Virginia News Photographers Association competition. Gene is survived by his devoted wife, Olga Dalton of Mount Airy, North Carolina; his sister, Sharon “Sherri” Kay Dalton of Altavista, Virginia; his daughter, Jennifer Dalton Varadi of Cornelius, North Carolina; his son, Cory Eugene Dalton of Callands, Virginia; his stepdaughter, Anya Saunders; his stepson-in-law, Dominic Saunders and their children.