ABOUT US

We are dedicated to eliminating suicide by raising awareness of and access to suicide prevention resources, breaking stigmas associated with getting help with suicidal thoughts, and supporting mental health awareness.

It's okay to not be okay. Help us help others.

Our Story

Dalton Viner was a handsome, intelligent, athletic and popular young man. In 2015, Dalton Viner started having struggles with mental health and we tragically lost him to suicide on May 20th, 2016.

In an effort to turn this unspeakable tragedy into something positive, Dalton's father, Terry, began his quest to combat suicide and promote dialogue about mental health. Terry Viner organized the First Dalton Viner Memorial Golf Tournament in September 2016 with the goal of raising $5000.00 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The tournament raised over $8,000.00 and Terry has not slowed down since!As the golf tournament grew larger, Dalton's family and friends decided it was time to form a true foundation. The Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation was born.

Our Executive Board Members

Terry Viner

President

Losing our son to suicide changed our lives forever. We were devastated and simply existing day to day, hoping and praying for comfort. I found that comfort and hope from family, friends and so many of Dalton's friends that supported, loved and continued to check up on us often. It is that type of love and support that inspired us to create the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation with the goal of bringing awareness to mental health issues and suicide awareness.

Tanner Powell

Vice-President

I met Dalton when we were both 5 years old. I spent my entire childhood going back and forth competing with him anywhere from hoops in the driveway to video games. We were the type of friends to argue about who won something and then minutes later we had completely forgot about it. When I went away to the Navy, we didn’t talk as much as we should have but when I would come home we never missed a beat. No matter how many times he had been drafted to play pro baseball he would always make time to hang out with the old high school guys. When I received the phone call about Dalton’s passing, I simply couldn’t believe it. The guy I grew up with, who had the gifts he had and so much to look forward to, had committed suicide. After coming to grips with what had happened I asked myself,”Why?” I then learned that this is often the case in suicide. When Terry started the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation, I immediately wanted to be a part of it to spread awareness to people like myself who previously never thought about the issue of suicide. I joined the board while still in the Navy and have since moved back and can be even more involved.

Kristi Batterson

Treasurer

I became involved with the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation when board members asked for my help organizing their financial data. As a CPA, I have worked for non-profit organizations in the past and have felt that was my true calling. Unfortunately, I never met Dalton, although I feel like I knew him from all of the wonderful stories I have heard from his family and friends. The dedication of the members of this board touched me and brought me fully into their fight against suicide.

Brandon & Kelley Gandy

Executive Board

We are Brandon and Kelley Gandy. I (Brandon), grew up with Dalton through many years of baseball and whatever other sports we decided to pick up that year. Usually I was always playing against Dalton, which was never a fun task as he was quite the athlete. However, after all the sports started dying down for me, I felt we still had a bond through our strikingly similar personalities. As time has passed since losing Dalton, I really do believe we'd have become really close again in our adult interests. Ever since losing Dalton, Kelley and I have pledged to do whatever we can to help prevent suicide.

We love and miss you, Dalton.

Mikey Tourtillott

Executive Board

I first met Dalton in 5 th grade in football when he was the quarterback and I was on the offensive line. However, we didn’t really get close until 7th grade when I started playing wide receiver and
had to work together more. I started hanging out at his house quite a bit from there. Football
brought us together, whether we were playing it or watching it. Dalton never failed to put a smile
on your face or make you laugh, which now really makes me want to have a deeper
conversation with others and find out what they are thinking and how they are really doing.
The Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation is an opportunity to educate myself and others by raising
awareness of suicide – while also honoring one of my greatest friends.

Coleby Taylor

Executive Board

I met Dalton when I was ten years old through the start of our baseball journey together. From little league to high school baseball, we grew to become great friends. Dalton was always impactful, whether on the field or to his peers. He has impacted my life in many ways. I am grateful to have known and been considered a friend of Dalton’s. He will forever be a part of my life and missed by many. Joining the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation is the greatest way to not only honor Dalton himself, but to also positively impact as many people as I can like he did for us.

Rachel Walker-Riley

Executive Board

I have been involved with the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation as a volunteer for the last few years. Mental health awareness and suicide prevention are topics I hold near and dear to my heart. I never got the opportunity to meet Dalton myself. However, I have come to love Terry, Stacy and this Foundation, and all that it stands for. We must all do what we can to save each and every person's life. We must let people know that there are other options.

Garrett Luna

Executive Board

I was lucky enough to meet Dalton in 2013 when we played baseball together at San Jacinto Jr. College. I remember him being a great friend who is incredibly talented, has a big heart, and a great sense of humor. Getting to know Dalton meant having a lot of laughs, and knowing you have a great person on your side.
After finding out he was gone, I was overcome with deep sadness and tears. At the time, I didn’t understand how someone could come to such a conclusion and later learned that this is often the case with suicide. It is not for us to understand, but to be a part of the movement that brings awareness.
I consider myself very blessed to have this opportunity to not only celebrate the life of Dalton Viner, but to also be on the forefront in spreading awareness. Being apart of this team and around these awesome people is an honor I do not take lightly.
Please do not hesitate to say hello if you see me at an event or in public! (Isaiah 40: 30-31)

Remembering Board Member, Denise Gault

Denise Joy Gault was born in Joplin, Missouri on March 15th, 1977 and passed away unexpectedly on January 28, 2023 in Miami, Oklahoma at the young age of 45.

Denise lived passionately, working tirelessly with the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation, serving as the Secretary, and using her talents to create not only shirts for the annual golf tournament, but taking photos during every event.

Joy is such a perfect middle name for Denise. She brought Joy wherever she went. She was a big, brilliant personality and an adventurous spirit. A big laugh, a brilliant smile, mischief in her sparkling eyes, and a warm hug in her arms. She loved fiercely and completely. When Denise was your friend, you could feel it in your bones.

The Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation will forever miss Denise.

Remembering Dedicated Volunteer, Bryan Ferguson

Bryan was born to Shirley & Don Ferguson on August 6, 1970. Bryan was extraordinary from day one. Born with a condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, he faced his first heart surgery at the age of two. Even as a very young child, he overcame every challenge, growing to be an annoying little brother to Tracy.

Bryan loved to help others. He volunteered every year at the Dalton Viner Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament at the T-Shirt table. And, boy, did he take that duty seriously!? He would not leave his station for any reason because he was worried he would miss a sale! He was dedicated to Suicide Prevention and took pride in helping the cause.

Bryan left this life on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th, 2024. His mother said that he took Santa’s Sleigh to Heaven. His body was tired, and his soul was ready to rest. Bryan met his father and grandparents at the gates of heaven, in a matching shirt and hat, took a deep breath and, feeling no pain, walked steadily, on strong legs, into eternity

Foundation Documents

https://www.dvmfoundation.org/