Laddie Gene Dailey, 69, of Oak Harbor, husband of Rosalind Dailey, died Dec. 6, 2010, at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz.
He was born July 2, 1941, in Yellville, Ark., the son of the late Kitty Dailey Buchanan and James Dailey. He was the second of six siblings, father of six children, and grandfather to seven. Laddie and Rosalind were married on April 24, 1982, and lived in San Diego before moving to Oak Harbor in 1984.
Laddie grew up in the eastern Washington towns of Yakima, Gleed and Natches and graduated from Natches High School in 1959 before enlisting in the Navy. Laddie served in the Navy for 23 years in Purchasing, Supply and Logistics. After retiring in 1982 as a senior chief, he continued to work with the Navy in a civilian position as a logistics site manager both in San Diego and Oak Harbor. He then worked for the school districts of Coupeville and Oak Harbor as a bus driver and driver trainer until 2003.
After retirement, Laddie enjoyed helping Rosalind in her downtown Oak Harbor antiques shop, Fancy Pants, and camping around Washington, Oregon and Arizona.
Laddie enjoyed participating in the Whidbey Playhouse productions appearing in South Pacific, Oklahoma, Inherit the Wind, and Ensign Pulver. He also sang in the choir at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, where he and Rosalind have attended for 26 years. His interests included horseback riding, racquetball, sailing and games of all sorts. He was an avid sports fan especially local high school and University of Washington football.
Survivors include: wife, Rosalind; children, Douglas Dailey of Everett, Darrell Dailey of Everett, Melinda Hirshorn of Snohomish, Michael McGary of Tucson, Ariz., Michelle Chaves of Eugene, Ore., and Danny Dailey of San Jose; siblings, James Dailey, of Tulsa, OK, Larry Buchanan, Karl Buchanan, and Nona Buchanan Bunger, of Yakima, WA, Gail Dailey Jarvis, of Lake Mary, FL; grandchildren, Natasha, Madeline, Timothy, Audrey, Tyler, Diego and Emma Rose.
Memorial Service will be held at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, Saturday, Jan, 8, at 2 p.m. The family suggests donations to Toddler Learning Center, PO Box 633, Oak Harbor 98277.
