Richard C. Dailey

Richard Dailey, 89, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024. He was born December 2, 1935 to Delbert and Lutie (Pollard) Dailey in Ash, Mo.
In 1956 on leave from the navy, Richard married Mary Clardy of Moberly, December 27. They raised 3 girls, Rebecca, Carolyn and Jean.
Richard served in the navy for 4 years until his honorable discharge in 1959, when he and Mary moved back to Moberly from Orange, TX where he was stationed.
Richard started his working career early at 12 and was a master salesman. He worked at multiple grocery stores in and around the northern part of Missouri during the early years, including Rainbow Bread Co., and Interstate Brands Corp. In February of 1975 he would go into partnership with Tom Briggs and open their first store Briggs and Dailey Southtown IGA on South Morley St. The store was a dream of his, and he and Tom along with their spouses worked tirelessly to make the store a huge success in the area. In the fall of 1977, they would have the opportunity from Mr. Temple Stephens to take over the ownership of the store which grew to be their main location of business, until the new fad of box stores came into being and in 1988, he sold his shares in the store and went back to work for Interstate Brands as a Regional Sales Manager overseeing a 4 state area.
This new adventure took he and Mary to Independence, Mo where they would settle until his retirement in March of 1998. They came back to Moberly to help care for his mother. Retirement didn't settle with him, so he then took on a position with Dr. Jeff and Lori Turk at Moberly Radiology and Imaging, where he drove Dr. Turk to facilities all over the northern half of the state reading film. After Dr. Turk's death in 2006, he stayed on to help Mrs. Turk with maintenance on the grounds at MRI and other properties in Moberly.
In 2014, he officially retired after a fall Mary had that required him to stay home and care for her during her recovery. His new role as caregiver were challenging, he took on making sure Mary's needs were met, first and foremost. They were forced to leave their home in 2023 when Mary's dementia and his glaucoma moved them to Mark Twain Assisted Living and then in 2024 the necessary move to Clarence Care Center.
His story telling will be the mainstay of memories for his girls, grandchildren and great grandkids. He had such a zest for life and was always willing to share advice, experiences and a golf game story or two. But through it all Mary was his focus.
Richard is survived by Mary, his wife of close to 68 years, his daughter, Becky, (Dennis), of Huntsville, Carolyn (Russ) of Grain Valley, Mo., Jeannie (Frank) of Huntsville, and a brother Roger (Bonnie) Dailey of Oklahoma, 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, in laws, sister, Ruth Marie Smith, brother Billy Jackson Dailey, and a granddaughter Kari Ann Johannaber,.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Richard's memory to Clarence Care Center or Shriners Children's Hospital, St. Louis.
Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation that was held
at the Cater Funeral Home, followed by Masonic services. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating Richard's life were held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayer, Military Honors, and burial took place at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Jacksonville.