H.B. "Curly" Daulton

H.B. "Curly" Daulton, 83, passed away on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Born May 7, 1928, in Northfield, TX, the youngest child of Hurk B. Daulton and Ida Josephine Gardner Daulton. The family farmed until 1942 when they moved to Tulsa, OK. After graduation from high school in 1945, he and his dad bought the Dawson Ice Company. He married Billie Strickland in 1946 and they were blessed with two children, Billy Jack and Tandy Lee. They were later divorced. He left the family business in 1948 to join Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys as a professional musician. After some time with the Playboys and another big band, the Western Okies, he formed his own band, the Western Swing Kings along with his brother, Johnny Daulton. They played all over the country touring with the top musicians of the day such as Faron Young, Jim Reeves, Lefty Frizzell and Tex Ritter. Curly was with Columbia Records during the mid-50's recording "Blue Hearts and Broken Vows" and "Just Another Nickel Wasted", among others. He married Norma Fay Howell in 1951 and they were blessed with a boy and girl, Bob and Betty. She passed away in 1954. He married Margaret Ann "Peggy" Volk in 1957 and they spent 46 years together before she passed away in 2003. Curly came to Pocatello in 1964 and played in the Green Triangle for 9 years. He left the music business in 1973 to work for Basic American Foods in Idaho Falls. Following his retirement in 1991, he returned to Pocatello and bought American Battery along with his son, Bob. He leaves behind sons, Billy Jack (Gayle) of Tulsa, OK, and Bob (Carma) of Pocatello, daughters Tandy Lee (Bill), Conifer, CO, and Betty Teel, Albuquerque, NM. He also leaves five grandchildren, Aaron, Liz, Tachi, Terry and Anna Lisa and 14 great-grandchildren. Following cremation, a private service will be held at a later date under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.Colonial-FuneralHome.com.