He recalls when Skagg's was a cotton field, city had 200 souls
By BILL MOORE
Staff Writer

You're liable to find Dalton Chambers anywhere in Farmers Branch except behind a desk. As general foreman for the Streets Department, Chambers and his battered, un air-conditioned city pickup can be found where ever there is a problem. Except for a stint in the Horse Cavalry in World War II, Chambers has worked in road construction and repair since he was 18 and has lived in Farmers Branch since 1926. So it's rare for Chambers to come upon something in town he doesn't know how to fix. But if he does, he knows where to turn.  His father, Fletcher, was doing roadwork before Dalton was born. At 88, he's still operating heavy equipment for the Lewisville school district. "The school will call him and say come run the blade, and he's like a little kid," Chambers said, giving the impression that he plans to be doing the same thing in Farmers Branch when he is 88. He loves what he does, and he loves the town. "Ill take Farmers Branch. It's second to none. I'd say 95 percent of the streets are second to none,. except for Valwood, and we're doing something about that." Driving around the city with Chambers - dressed in his usual uniform of a white straw cowboy hat, western shirt and boots - is like taking an historic tour with a very knowledgeable guide. "I've seen this city grow from nothing to something," Chambers said, passing the intersection of Valley View Lane and Denton Drive. "The train depot used to be there, God, I played at that depot a million times." Born in Ellis County, Chambers moved to Farmers Branch in 1926. He followed his father into the road construction business and spent 23 years working for Dallas County and five years working for Carrollton. Chambers grew up in Farmers Branch when it had a population of just 200 and he knew everyone. His daddy insisted he call men "sir" and women "Ma'am", a habit he still has even when speaking to a reporter half his age. From his boots to his sweat-stained cowboy hat, Chambers is exactly what he appears to be: country enough to say "y'all" and "feller", man enough to call his father "daddy" and proud enough of his city to overlook its rough spots. Chambers remembers there was a water trough at Valley View and Rossford and a cotton gin on Elder Street. If the gin was busy, and it usually was, farmers would unhitch their horses and take them for a drink at the trough. "Uncle Billy Good had a wooden water tower on Valley View. You might turn the water on and get a bird feather. That's the truth," he said. The poor water pressure was a problem in 1947 and 1948 when Chambers was a volunteer fireman. At least twice a year a building between Denton Drive and Rossford would catch fire. Peanut shells stored inside were the culprit, although Chambers never knew why anyone would want them. Chambers, vividly remembers the city being build on cotton and corn. Tom Field had a huge cotton patch as did Bee Street. Corn was planted between the cotton fields, he said. "I picked many a bag of cotton up there where Skaggs is," said Chambers, who admits he's in his sixties but looks at least 10 years younger. A lot of years have passed since then, and Chambers considered retiring three years ago when he gave up his bachelor days and married. "Heck, Dalton, you're not old enoujgh to quit," his daddy said, making him see the foolishness of his young ways. So Chambers still works his 40 hours plus a week with the city's other 400 employees.  He has lived in Farmers Branch longer than any city employee and may be the most popular city staffer, too. {"As an employee, Dalton is very hard-working and dedicated. As a person, he is very outgoing, friendly and thoughtful. He's always cheerful, trying to do his best to help people," said Earl Deland, director of Public Works. "Everybody likes Dalton," added Donna Huerta, the city's public information officer. "He calls me pumpkin." "I don't think I'm a bad general foreman," Chambers will self-consciouslyu say. "If you need me for anything or any job, all you've got to do is call me.  I tell that to all the boys." Although Chambers probably will work for the city another couple of decades, he made sure long ago that his final resting place would be in Farmers Brtanch, specifically, in Keenan Cemetery overlooking City Hall. He decided that to watch over his friend, the former City Manager Paul West. "I told Mr. West that when I died, I'm going to be right up on that hill keeping an eye on you. He was so tickled he couldn't hardly stand it."

Farmers Branch Times, Wednesday, July 8, 19878, page 3A,

Chambers, Dalton
 

James Dalton Chambers, 93, lifelong resident of Farmers Branch, Texas, went to be with his Lord on October 21, 2010. He was born in Bardwell, Texas on September 25, 1917. Mr. Chambers received the Bronze Star for his meritorious achievement in the South Pacific during World War II. He was a member of the 101st Calvary and decorated serviceman in the U.S. Army. He lived in Farmers Branch for 80 years and was a member of the first volunteer fire department. The City of Farmers Branch recently honored Mr. Chambers by proclaiming his 93rd birthday, September 25, 2010, Dalton Chambers Day. He spent his life working in road construction for Dallas County, the City of Carrollton and the City of Farmers Branch. Mr. Chambers retired as street superintendent from the City of Farmers Branch in 1998 at the age of 81. Visitation is scheduled for this evening, Sunday, Oct. 24, 6-8 PM at Rhoton Funeral Home in Carrollton, Texas. The Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Farmers Branch on Monday, Oct. 25 at 2:00 PM with interment immediately following at the historical Keenan Cemetery adjacent to the church. God Bless You Daltie. We are honored to have been a part of your life. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or charity of choice.

Published in Dallas Morning News on October 24, 2010
Submitted by Betty Lou (Stanley) Dennis

FUNERAL PROGRAM

Submitted by Betty Lou (Stanley) Dennis
 

IN LOVING MEMORY

JAMES DALTON CHAMBERS
SEPT. 25, 1917 - OCT 21, 2010

Keenan Cemetery, Farmers Branch, Dallas County Texas