According to his wife, his church, family, baseball, and the City of Dalton were the great loves of Jim Middleton's life. Two years and a day after his passing, the former mayor of Dalton was honored by his city with the re-dedication of the playing fields at Heritage Point Park in his name. The land where the park now stands was purchased during his time as mayor.

"This is such a special honor for our family," said Joann Arnold Middleton, speaking to a crowd of dozens of family members, friends, and city leaders during Friday's ceremony. "His time as mayor was special. He loved every minute of it and he cared so much for the city. And to just think about these fields out here being dedicated to Jim warms my heart. Jimbo loved baseball. Baseball was his favorite. And just to think that during his time (in office), he did get to allocate money for these fields, and how special that makes it... he would just be so honored."

Dalton's mayor and council voted unanimously last September to rename the fields in Mr. Middleton's honor. Mr. Middleton, who passed away on June 4, 2024, at the age of 88, served three terms as Dalton's mayor from 1988 until 2000. He also served as a member of the Civil Service Commission (which is now known as the Public Safety Commission) from 1973 until 1984 and was also elected as a member of the City Council.

"He loved this place like he loved his family," said J.P. Tighe, Mr. Middleton's grandson. "It's a full circle moment to be here at Heritage Point Park where he'd watch me play hundreds and hundreds of baseball games as a kid growing up. It's really surreal for me to see his name up on that banner."

"I can distinctly remember one time, coming from this parking lot, walking over to these fields, and my dad just saying, look at this. Is this just not beautiful? I helped make this happen. And he was so proud," said Allyson Coker, one of Mr. Middleton's daughters. "Yes, he loved baseball. He loved his family, but he deeply loved the City of Dalton, and the 12 years as mayor, I know, were some of the greatest of his life."

City Councilmember Steve Farrow offered remarks remembering growing up with the Middleton family and spending time at their home. He also spoke of Mr. Middleton's many contributions to the city, including the construction of the Dalton Convention Center, Al Rollins Park, and pioneering the transfer payment from Dalton Utilities to the City's general fund.

"Now that franchise fee is (the City's) largest source of revenue. It boggles my mind to think of what our citizens' property taxes would be if we didn't get that franchise fee from Dalton Utilities," Mr. Farrow said. "And it was the leadership of Mayor Middleton, so I consider him the taxpayer's hero."

"Our city is most certainly a better place for having had the privilege of Jim Middleton’s leadership," said Mayor Annalee Sams, who read the proclamation renaming the fields in Mr. Middleton's honor. "I'm so excited about this, as elected officials, a privilege that we have is to share in special moments, and I think this one is particularly special. We've all been excited about it."

A new sign on Loveman Island at the entrance to the complex now marks the Jim Middleton Fields at Heritage Point. Signs bearing Mr. Middleton's name also mark the entrances to both clusters of playing fields. A marker with Mr. Middleton's picture and a biography of his life was also unveiled in the plaza between both field complexes.