David Draper Dayton Jr. ’41

It is said that shelter ranks with food in sustaining life, and there are precious few men who devote energy and resources to the growing worldwide problem of homelessness. Draper Dayton did, and it is a loss that he died Dec. 7, 1997. His wife, Carol, whom he had known since they were sixth-graders together in Winnetka, Ill., survives in Gladwyne, Pa.

Born in Minneapolis, "Dray" was the son of the cofounder of Dayton-Hudson stores. He and Carol had the Dean's permission to marry well before graduation. Having majored in economics, he got a Harvard MBA, finished the war as a naval officer in the Pacific, then entered the vending machine business in Knoxville. He was moved to Philadelphia in 1964.

Retiring in 1986, Dray joined the board of directors at People's Emergency Center, Philadelphia's oldest shelter for homeless women and children. He led PEC through the development of its model facility and helped raise $2.5 million for 50 units of housing. In 1991 George Bush gave him a Point of Light award. In the spiritual realm, he and Carol went to Haiti, where they founded the Gladwyne Presbyterian Church Anglican Center with Father Roger Desir.

Survivors include sons David III, Peter, and Nelson; daughter Adriance; 10 grandchildren; and Dray's favorite (and only) great-grandchild, Emilie. Our sorrow goes out to all of them.

The Class of 1941