James "Jim" Dailey

James "Jim" Dailey, age 77, of Clear Lake, SD, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center in Clear Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Monday, November 25th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clear Lake, SD. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4pm on Sunday, November 24th at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clear Lake with a prayer service at 4pm. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Houseman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
James Joseph Dailey was born on January 13, 1947, in Watertown, SD to John and Margaret (Talty) Dailey as the tenth of eleven children. He attended Lake Alice #20 Country School through 6th grade, then attended and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1965. He started working with his father in farming after graduating from high school and continued until his death.
James was united in marriage to Linda Coombes on February 14, 1970. Together they raised four children: Shane, Ryan, Brodie and Mindi. They are blessed with eight grandchildren.
Farming and ranching were his lifelong passions and hobby. He had a wit and sense of humor that would appear when you were least expecting it. As he would say, "You know what they say, 'It isn't work if you love what you are doing.'"
Recognized with many honors and achievements throughout his farming career, James was more practical than political - yet remained passionate about his beliefs. He was awarded with the State Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1982. He was honored with Conservationist of the Year and has planted thousands of trees on his land.
Always incredibly compassionate, he was very involved with the community service organization, Jaycees. He served as president and worked many hours on community activities. He served as a committee member on the ASCS Board for several years. His latest passion was founding the Deuel County Crisis Fund. This fund was established to support young families in the county who find themselves in need.
James always had a perceived hidden, yet known, soft spot for those he held dear. He is survived by his wife Linda of 54 years; daughter: Mindi Dailey, Clear Lake; sons: Shane (Claire) Dailey and their children Harrison and Lydia, Holly Springs, NC; Ryan Dailey, Clear Lake; Brodie (Kelly) Dailey and their children Chase, Molly, Brianna, Grace, Evelyn and Fallyn, Clear Lake; sister: Margaret Ann DeBoer; brothers: John (Jerry) (Lorene) Dailey, Mathew (Cynthia) Dailey, Timothy (Debbie) Dailey; and brother-in-law Dan (Susan) Coombes.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Mary Kay Kallhof, Nora (Don) Grabow, Helen (Larry) Pautsch, and brothers: Eugene (Colleen) Dailey, Micheal (Bonnie) Dailey and, Thomas Dailey.