Robert "Rob" H. Kayton

Robert H. Kayton, loving husband, father, and grandfather was born on November 5th, 1944 in Newport News, Virginia.  He passed away at home with his loving wife by his side on October 29th, 2024.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Amy Woodward Kayton; father, Jack Thomas Kayton; and brother, Jack Kayton II. 

Rob grew up in Hampton, Virginia and attended Christopher Newport College where he met the love of his life, Donita Brickle.  He moved to Charlotte, NC and later to Mt. Holly, NC.  He worked at Duke Power for 23 years.  He then retired to North Myrtle Beach where he lived for 25 years.  He loved the beach and boating.  He also loved his grandsons and his beloved dog, Emma Louise.  He was a Mason with a Sublime Degree of Master Mason and he was a devoted Lutheran. Rob also coached youth sports for many years.

Rob was very involved with several city agencies and organizations in North Myrtle Beach.  He was a long time member of Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful (KNMBB).  KNMBB is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB). He served several terms as chairman and was very involved with activities and events that KNMBB sponsored.  He participated, as a representative of KNMBB, in local, state, and national events sponsored and organized by Keep America Beautiful.  Rob was also a member of the North Myrtle Beach Optimist Club.  He worked on many of the projects the club sponsored.  He also volunteered as a club member to help with other events in the community. He worked on the Optimist Club sponsored NMB Christmas Parade, the Optimist Club state youth golf tournament, and many other events for the club.  He was an active member and cofounder of the North Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol.  This group of volunteers worked to protect sea turtle nests and hatchling in North Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas.  Rob was also a Member/Commissioner on the North Myrtle Beach Planning Commission. He volunteered with the NMB Parks and Recreation Department.  He helped with many events the department organized.  He volunteered to help with parades, festivals, road races, Christmas activities, Easter egg hunts, and many other activities sponsored by the North Myrtle Beach Recreation Department.  He worked with the area schools as a representative of Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful and the North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation Department. Rob was also involved with The North Strand Sail and Power Squadron.

Rob is survived in death by his wife of 60 years, Donita Brickle; his daughter, Amy Kayton Tincher (Dean); and his son, Robert Woodward Kayton (Dana).  He also has three grandsons, Reece Kayton (Kayleigh), Kaiser Kayton (Brooke), and Jonah Tincher.  He has one nephew, Dr. Jack Kayton (Kahtra) and special cousins, Connie Earhart and Sharon Tessman.

A memorial service to honor the life of Rob will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. Kara Stewart and Hobby Outten, at Benson Funeral Services, 101 Oak Grove St., Mt. Holly, NC 28120, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SC Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston SC 29401 ATTN Kate Crosby or to The Virginia Dental Foundation Mission of Mercy at VDAF.org.