Born in Crawfordsville on April 27, 1941, the son of Roy Oreal Layton and Fay Mildred Hitch Layton, was a graduate of Linden High School in 1959 and Purdue University with, a BS in Forestry in 1963. He married Freda Alberta Barton on June 8, 1963, and she preceded him in death in 2009. David passed away at 2:58 am August 26, 2022, at Franciscan Lafayette Hospital.

Mr. Layton wore many hats. After graduating from Purdue in 1963 he worked for the Division of Forestry for 9 years; as a private consulting forester for 28 years; as Madison Township Trustee for 34 years; school bus driver for North Montgomery Community School Corp for 22 years. Woodsmen Quartet accompanist 22 years;  former church organist for many years in several churches;  Madison Township Trustee 1980 - 2014;  Past Area Director, Indiana Township Association;  Past Master Linden Masonic Lodge, now affiliated with New Richmond Lodge Number 604; Past Grand Organist, Indiana Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; Past Patron and organist Oriental Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Linden, now affiliated with Athens Chapter Number 97, OES and present organist; former 4-H club leader and Fulton County 4-H Council; past member of Montgomery County Extension Advisory Council; Jaycees; past secretary of Linden Public Library Board of Trustees; member and past Secretary/Sexton, Linden Cemetery Association; past president of Linden Alumni Association; life member of Linden-Madison Township Historical Society (past Vice President and Historian); assistant editor and contributor to "Welcome to Quinine Township", a history of Linden and Madison Township written and published as part of the local celebration of the  Bicentennial of the United States of America; past president and director of Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association; founder and chairman of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association State Fair exhibit 11 years.

Surviving is daughter Maria Yang (Xiaoping) of Columbus, IN; two granddaughters. Extra special people in his life include Wendy Nattinger; Buck and Becky Black; Jeff and Barb Bickel; Dustin Barnes; Karen and Allen Engle. Nettie Ward has been a special friend the past year at Lane House.

Due to concerns about global health issues final arrangements will be kept private at this time. A Celebration of Life service is being planned at Jane M. Stoddard Park on Oct 8, 2022, 1-3 pm with Masonic and Eastern Star services to be included. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society and American Kidney Fund. Please plant a tree in David's memory.