Obituary of Kenton Carl "K.C." Dalby

Kenton Carl “K.C.” Dalby, 76, of Freehold Township, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, March 21, 2025.  Born and raised in Bethlehem, PA, K.C. was a graduate of Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ and Moravian University in Bethlehem, PA. After school, K.C. lived in several places throughout his adult life, including Jacksonville Florida, Somerville New Jersey, and Bath PA, before settling in Freehold Township in 1983. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

K.C. had a distinguished career in the steel manufacturing industry, working primarily in the safety and security departments of Bethlehem Steel, Buffalo Tank and New Jersey Steel. After leaving the steel industry, K.C. transitioned to a second career with RadioShack, where he worked in several locations including Freehold, Howell and Shrewsbury until his retirement.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, K.C. was passionate about service. While in Bath, PA, he volunteered with the East Allentown Township Ambulance Corps and later in life was an active leader with the Freehold area Boy Scout Troops18 & Troop 358.

K.C.’s greatest passion was his love for minerals and rocks. He was the founder and former president of the New Jersey Branch of the Friends of Mineralogy, an organization he deeply cherished. His lifelong love of minerals led him to travel extensively, even venturing as far as Colorado in search of unique specimens.  To those who knew him well, K.C. was simply a "Fluorite Guy."

K.C. was also known for his loving and humorous nature. He had a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and could always be counted on for a witty remark. He often referred to himself fondly as "Dear Old Dad," and his charm, wit, and unwavering devotion to his family made him the heart of their lives. His greatest accomplishment, however, was the family he built, his children and grandchildren.  K.C. was incredibly proud of them and cherished every moment spent with them, always finding joy in their achievements and growth.

K.C. is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Mona Elizabeth “Betsy” Dalby; their two children, Alicia Chandler and her husband, Thomas, of Erie, PA, and Christopher Dalby and his wife, Sarah, of Manalapan, NJ; six cherished grandchildren, Nicholas, Mackenzie, Christopher Jr., Caitlyn, Olivia, and Lyla; and his older brother, Michael Dalby, and his wife, Liza, of Berkeley, CA.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:30 PM, with Words of Remembrance to follow at 4:30 PM. Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to support the Junior Rockhounds program may be made payable to: Friends of Minerology New Jersey located at 172 Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726.  For more information, directions, or to leave condolence messages for the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.