Linwood O. Cayton
May 1, 1931 – Jan. 11, 2016

Linwood O. Cayton, age 84, died January 11, 2016 after a prolonged illness.

Mr. Cayton is survived by his daughter, Malinda Cayton, one sister, Catherine Wynne, two nieces, Jewell Wynne Sikes and Judy Wynne Beam, and one nephew, John Hunter Wynne Jr. He is also survived by his pride and joy, Jake, his faithful dog.

The son of Opal Jewell and Beron Cayton of Edward, NC, Linwood was born on May 1, 1931 in Washington. After graduation from Aurora High School, he joined the Air Force and served his country in the Korean War. Upon returning home, he married Carolyn Bonner, who preceded him in death in May 1980. After years of farming, Linwood went to work for Texas Gulf where he provided years of service as a general foreman in the sulfuric acid plant and in the safety department before retiring in 1992.

Throughout his life and into retirement, Linwood filled his days with things that he loved, including snow skiing, scuba diving, sailing his 43-foot sloop Nirvana down the East Coast to the Florida Keys, and flying his Piper 140 airplane. He enjoyed time spent with friends he developed through work and in retirement. He followed every sport possible, spent time attending community gatherings, lent a hand helping his daughter Malinda, and took Jake on long car rides through the back roads of Eastern North Carolina.

As friends and family of Linwood would attest, he was optimistic, enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest. He was both a faithful and grateful friend, father, brother, uncle and son. Although quick to tell stories of past adventures, it was the sentimental journeys we all shared with him that will be missed the most.

Special thanks to all of Linwood’s caregivers at Select Specialty Hospital in Durham, Vidant Hospitals in Greenville and Washington.

There will be a celebration of Linwood’s life in the Spring. Memorial contributions can be made to the Aurora Rescue Squad who on more than one occasion came to Linwood’s aid, and Friends Fur Life K9 Rescue (3804 Doeskin Dr., Apex, NC 27539, website: friendsfurlifek9rescue.com).