Dayton Edward McLerran age 81 passed away Thursday, September 27, 2012. He was the oldest of three sons of the late O.D. and Lassie (Chitwood) McLerran. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth (White) McLerran; sons, Jock McLerran and wife, Kandi of Friendsville, TN.; granddaughter, Isabella Scout McLerran; Son, Scot McLerran of Cookeville, TN.; grandsons, Jared and Braden McLerran; brother, John Howard McLerran of Celina, TN., sister-in-law, Christine McLerran of Lexington, KY. He was preceded in death by one brother, Harold M. McLerran and niece, Dinah McLerran. Mr. McLerran graduated from Moss Elementary School and Celina High School. He attended David Lipscomb College and received his B.S. degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK). He later received his M.A. degree from Tennessee Technological University.  While at UTK he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Roe and Alpha Zeta fraternities. He was also enrolled in ROTC and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant before graduation. He immediately reported for active duty after graduation from UTK. He spent most of his time at 3rd Army Headquarters in Atlanta. The week he was released from active duty, he began traveling 50 weeks per year nation wide for the legal department of the Coca Cola Co. After three years, he spent one year in Coca Cola bottler sales in San Francisco, CA. He met the love of his life while they were both working for a division of 3M in Charlotte, NC.  After they were married, they returned to the community where he was raised to start their family. He taught High School for about the next 35 years at the school where he graduated. He was an active member of the Moss Church of Christ. Burial will be in the Moss Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Moss Cemetery Fund or the charity of your choice at Upton Funeral Home.