Richard Allen Daily

Rev. Dr. Richard "Dick" Allen Daily passed away on November 23, 2025, from brain cancer.

A dutiful Methodist minister who shared his faith with countless congregations, a Navy veteran, a world-class athlete, a lifelong track coach and mentor, a devoted missionary who worked tirelessly to help Haitians, and a Mr. Fix-It who always came up with a solution. He loved children and animals, especially his Welsh corgi, Duke, and the many ponies bred by his family. More than anything, he adored Indigo, his only grandchild.

He was the warmest, kindest person, who greeted everyone with a smile and a silly joke and always remembered every detail about anyone he ever met. He was incredibly generous, extremely bright, and just an absolute gem of a human.

He was born on June 18, 1948, at Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, MI. His early life was spent at several locations, dictated by his father's career in the United States Air Force. As his father's career rose in ranks, it required several moves for the family. After a brief time in Battle Creek, the family moved to Hammond, IN, and then in short order, he and his older and younger sisters, Pat and Peggy, set off with their mom to join their dad to live in Landsberg am Lach, Germany. He remembered preschool and playmates and learning some German words. In 1953 the family returned to the U.S. at New Concord, OH, and his dad served at a military hospital in Cambridge, OH. That year, his brother John was born in nearby Zanesville. A few years later, the next move took the family to Kansas City, MO, and Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. There they remained for four years, had a new little brother, Steve, and came back to Ohio to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Daily family resided in rural Ohio near Springfield then, enjoying many small town and farm country experiences along the way. When Dick was in high school his last little sister, Pam, was born. He also broke a statewide championship in pole vaulting and played football for the Northwestern Warriors.

Then it was off to college for Dick. His first choice was Muskingum College in New Concord, OH, where he played football, excelled at pole vaulting, and pursued a business degree. While attending school there, his dad retired from the Air Force, and his family relocated and settled in Columbus.

After his freshman year, Dick enlisted in the Navy and went through basic training at the Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, IL. His first duty assignment aboardship was difficult, and it was learned that he had perforated eardrums and would never be able to sail on a ship. He received an early honorable medical discharge.

He relocated to Columbus and then attended Ohio State University, remained active in pole vaulting, and went on to finish his degree in business.

His first notable job was with Dayton Plastics, where he worked with the relatively new material of plexiglass. In that field, his next move was to Cincinnati, and then a transfer to Temple Terrace, FL. While there he also studied physical education and exercise physiology at the University of South Florida and continued his passion for track and field. His landlord at the time introduced Dick to his church and youth group. They invited him on a trip to the Holy Land, and Dick was baptised in the Jordan River and his life was forever changed. When he returned, he set in motion his plan to attend Duke Divinity School, where he got his Masters. While there he served as the Assistant Track Coach and began his lifelong association with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. But his biggest godsend was meeting the love of his life, Alicia. Their love blossomed and they married on December 30, 1978.

Following his graduation from Duke, Dick began his long ministerial career serving as a Pastor, Leader, Overseer, and Ambassador of the United Methodist Church. Throughout his lengthy career he was blessed to have the support, help, and guidance from his loving wife, Alicia. Their journey began at a few churches in Florida, where he polished his amazing gifts of positive influence, counseling, inspiration, and encouragement. While serving a church in Leesburg, FL, daughter Allison was born, and four years later, his daughter Emily was born while he served in Callahan. A few years later, the family relocated to Shawsville, VA, where he served as Camp Director at Camp Alta Mons and pastor of Crockett Springs United Methodist. During that time, he also earned his doctorate at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

His ministry and internal conviction also called to him to be a missionary for the underprivileged. He helped organize mission trips to Jamaica and Haiti. The heartbreaking conditions he encountered in Haiti led him to actively engage in the organization of many medical, education, and sanitary relief trips to the impoverished country, including to help start the Haiti Mission with Alicia's parents, Bill and Alice White. They helped build clinics, churches, and schools in Cap Haitien and are well used today. He also later became the Director of International Development at the Sonje Ayiti Organization. He was passionate about building wells and about earthquake relief.

His ministry led to several assignments in Virginia, including Shawsville, Richmond, Winchester, Lynchburg, Verona, Bonsack, Rustburg, and Franktown. At each location, while masterfully performing his church duties, he also managed to coach and lead youth in track and field at the high schools. His experience and methods produced multiple state pole vaulting champions and several state team championships. He was recognized for his success by his introduction to Jefferson Forest High School's sports Hall of Fame. Well done, coach!

Also during his time in Virginia, he proudly earned a Doctorate in International Evangelism at Wesley Theological Seminary.

While in Lynchburg, he and Alicia built and managed the family's 50-acre horse farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Goode, VA. The farm was also home to Alicia's ceramics and art studio, where she produced beautiful artwork (which she still does to this day).

A brief "retirement" led them to Summerville, SC, to be closer to beloved granddaughter, Indigo Walker. After a brief respite there, the United Methodist Church persuaded Dick to accept one more church assignment at Franktown United Methodist Church on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. After faithfully performing his service there, he retired in May 2025. He and Alicia then embarked on a long-planned trip to Ireland, where they spent a month living seaside at an idyllic location on the western coast and Dick pursued his interest in delving into the genealogy of his Irish heritage.

Dick was all about family and made the effort to visit his siblings and other relatives regularly. All of whom are grateful for his conviction and efforts. We will all miss his warmth, kindness, and sense of humor. Sarcasm was his pet peeve and he believed in building each other up. One will never know where his lifetime of influence stops.

He is survived by his wife, Alicia Daily, his daughters Emily Daily Walker (Josh) and Allison Daily, as well as his siblings, Patricia Duboise (Danny), Peggy Toussant (Jeff), John Daily (Angela), Steve Daily (Susan), and Pamela Hoepner (Jim), and also his granddaughter, Indigo Walker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Haiti Mission Foundation, the Middlesex County Animal Shelter (Saluda, VA), or Lower United Methodist Church (Hartfield, VA). A memorial service will be held on December 19 at noon at Lower United Methodist Church in Hartfield, VA.