Lt. Col. James Harold Dayley (Ret.) February 5, 1934 - July 14, 2022

Childhood

Born in Burley, Idaho, to Wilma Sylvia Holmes Dayley and Harold (Had) Earl Dayley, his parents surely couldn’t have imagined what their little first-born son would do in his life. Their “Jimmy” had big dreams, but he’d have to leave his beloved Rocky Mountain home to stretch out his hand to serve his country, his fellow man, and his family.

This didn’t mean Jim didn’t appreciate his small-town upbringing.  Being able to wander the fields, camp, fish, hunt ducks, geese, and deer, and ride horses, he learned to love the natural world and it was a privilege he never forgot.

At age twelve Jim experienced a life-threatening health incident, which sent his little family on an urgent trip to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Through this trial he clearly felt the comfort and influence of the Holy Ghost in prayer. Jim was also blessed with a full recovery, and a magnificent twelve-inch scar on his leg.

Jim valued working in the little grocery store, playing football, basketball, and lettering in baseball, serving as a representative to Boys’ State, going to dances and just living in a town where everyone knew everyone else. He remained close to his boyhood pals his whole life. He was a good big brother to his younger sister Barbara. Always curious, and wonderfully friendly, Jim learned that people mattered, and that their desires to be listened to and considered was important. He wanted to make a difference in the world.

Young Adult Years and Marriage

A good student, Jim aspired to medical school and life as an USAF physician.  Two days out of high school he and a buddy drove a pickup from Burley, through Canada and on to the old Alaska Highway to Fairbanks, intent on getting a high paying construction job. Jim planned this strategy so he wouldn’t have to work while in college at the University of Utah. Well, economies are fickle, and six weeks later Jim returned home, alone, with ten dollars more in his pocket than he’d left with. He stated that it was the most important ten dollars he’s ever made because of all the growing up experiences he had on the trip.

When Jim was 22 his parents had a bonus baby, Michael. Notwithstanding the age gap the two brothers have always had a wonderful bond, to this day.

A pre-med major and in USAF ROTC, and a previously confirmed bachelor, Jim graduated from “The U” in 1956 with a lovely wife, Shirley Singleton Dayley, a year-old daughter, and orders to Texas, where Jim pivoted and became a Navigator. Married in the Idaho Falls Temple, the young couple determined to create a peaceful, gospel centered home. Over twenty household moves, and much separation of the family due to duty—with Jim in places such as Spain, Italy, England, and South America, including a year solo assignment on the Aleutian Islands (see… he did get back to Alaska!)  Jim and Shirley raised Teresa, Tamara (Tami), Bret and Krista. As parents, Jim and Shirley were wonderfully successful in creating a loving home atmosphere for the family. Jim considered Shirley not only the love of his life, but he admired her competency, beauty, and grace. She is his “pretty lady” and his “Rock of Gibraltar.”

Career(s)

During the height of the Cold War Jim flew for years as part of the Strategic Air Command which held the line against Communist aggression.   Jim also earned a second BS degree, University of New Hampshire in Electric Engineering (1965), as well as a master’s degree in management from Central Michigan University (1972). All this education and experience and talent eventually led him to the Military Airlift Command of the USAF. Jim held various command and development positions (including primary responsibility for a 12-billion-dollar project) and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jim served twenty years and retired from the Air Force at age forty-two in 1976

All through the years of Jim’s USAF career he had also been interested and active in business, technology, real estate, and entrepreneurship. Nearly the same week he retired from the USAF, Jim went to NYC and became a stockbroker with the E. F. Hutton brokerage and, after training, worked in the St. Louis office.  He searched out and found opportunities for many business ventures, some successful and some not, but always exciting, interesting, and often cutting edge.  Jim wrote a book about venture capital, and it was always fun to go into a bookstore and find it on the shelf. (Jim also has an unpublished novel he worked on for years.)  Jim’s desire to make friends with everyone, and to help people of all types reach their potential and their dreams led him to work in marginalized communities as well as with a whole variety of projects.

Jim was never without his Wall Street Journal, the latest business book, the scriptures, and commentary.  And he occasionally enjoyed a good Louis L’Amour read.

And, somehow, Jim continued to be present at children and grandchildren’s blessings, baptisms, graduations, and marriages. He loved being a part of Mike’s family, as a sort of “stand in” Grandpa. His sister Barbara has always been so important to him, and he felt especially close to her as the two of them spent time with their parents near the end of Had and Wilma’s time on earth.

Devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints

From Jim’s early 20’s until his passing he was a devoted servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  In all those many wards, in all those many places Jim was stationed and took his family, he served in callings as needed. And he was very much needed in small branches as well as established wards.  Eventually Jim became a Bishop, twice, and served in a Stake Presidency. Jim served as a temple worker in the Chicago Temple as well as the St. Louis Temple. Jim also served a service mission in the St. Louis, Missouri mission for 12 months.  He and Shirley, together, served a Stake Mission for the Fairview Heights, Illinois Stake.   In 2004, for his family, Jim wrote a Journal of Spiritual Experiences which chronicles his great faith in Jesus Christ’s atonement, and shares personal revelation experiences, and what service to others and the value of scriptures has meant to him. It is an authentic expression of Jim’s hope, gratitude, and commitment.

In his later years Jim relished going to the temple.  He was looking forward to the new Burley, Idaho Temple and had hoped to attend the dedication. (Maybe now he’ll choose to attend from the other side.)

That being said…

No brief piece of writing can capture Jim’s vibrant love of life, adoration of his wife, support and enthusiasm for his lucky children, his grand big heart, his work ethic, and his open and always learning mind. Jim was always searching to become better and to take others along.  We are heartbroken at having to go on without him but ever so grateful to call him Brother, Husband, Father, Grandpa, Friend.

Family members

Jim is survived by his wife Shirley, his children Teresa (Matthew) Love, Tamara (Donald) Green, Bret (Julie) Dayley, Krista (Corby) Petersen, his sister Barbara Wrigley and brother Michael Dayley. Also, ten grandchildren (Rebecca, Tim, Ginger, Joel, Sarah, Paige, Taylor, Aryanna, Tanner, Elizabeth) and fourteen great-grandchildren (Felicity, Malcolm, Gena, Koda, Des, Ethan, Henry, Tiger, James, Gabe, Sophie, Annalie, Oliver, Corby)

In Memory…

If you would like to honor Jim’s memory, we suggest a donation to Primary Children’s Hospital

https://secure3.convio.net/ihchs/site/Donation2?df_id=1566&mfc_pref=T&1566.donation=form1

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