Milburn Lee Daily, Jr., died peacefully at his home on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. Dad was known by most as "Mel," but you'd most often hear him called Babe, Pop, or Papa.

In June 2019, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. He never hesitated to fight for more time with his family. When the time came to stop fighting, he faced his death with the same steadfast faith he held throughout his life.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1956, in Wichita, Kansas, to Milburn Lee Daily, Sr., and Mildred Louise Daffron-Daily – Mel and Millie. It always made us boys chuckle to hear our dad called "Junior" by his folks. Dad was the oldest of three children, and he adored his sisters Patricia and Gail.

He turned 64 this month. In 1974, he was introduced to his sister's best friend, Nancy Rowland, and he spent the next 46 years pursuing her. He convinced her to marry him in 1978, and they celebrated 42 years of marriage this July.

They made their first home on a hog farm they managed in Arkansas until Dad got into nuclear power. They roamed from New York to California while he worked in Health Physics and Radiation Protection for nuclear power plant outages. They had five sons along the way, born in New York, Arkansas, Virginia, and Texas – where they ended up staying for the next 30 years.

Once we moved to Texas, Dad started out as a pipefitter in petroleum and worked his way into management. He spent the rest of his career as a Safety Director in the petrochemical industry. Most who worked with him will remember him as the "Safety Man."

Dad's greatest loves were, in no particular order, his family, fishing, cars, playing cards, and chips and dips. Dad was a world-class card player – he'd beat us all at spades, hearts, or rummy. We still haven't figured out how he cheated. Dad was also a certified mechanic. When he wasn't working on his own cars, he was out helping someone else with theirs. When it came to fishing, we probably spent more time figuring out how to catch the big ones than actually catching them, but the hours spent with him making leaders and searching out the hot spots were just as good as those spent with lines in the water.

He was gentle and big-hearted, and he's never met a stranger. He didn't hate many things, but he couldn't abide bullies, swearing, and raw carrots. Dad's faith in God carried him through the ups and downs of life. He loved Jesus and he shared God's love with everyone he met. He loved teaching Sunday School and leading Royal Rangers troops.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Thomas Cleveland, Sr., and Gertha Mae Daily; maternal grandparents Elmer Dewey and Julie Mae Daffron; parents Mel and Millie; and sister Lucinda Gail Daily Williams.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Marie Daily of Markham; his five sons, "the boys": Richard Lee Daily and wife Tricia of Oral, South Dakota; Justin Adam Daily and wife Melissa of Gridley, Kansas; Nathan Andrew Daily and wife Carla of Blessing, Texas; Jeremy Christopher Daily and wife Geniva of Bay City, Texas; and Logan Reid Daily of Markham Texas; grandchildren: Tiffany Jo Walker, Dillon Thomas Walker, Megan Renicia Walker, Kayley Nichole Roy, Audrey Gail Daily, Eli Josiah Daily, Alaina Marie Daily, Aizik Andrew Daily, Caroline Michelle Daily, Levi Charles Daily, Malakai Matthew Miladin, Kairi Michelle Magee-Daily, Avery Marie Magee-Daily, Delilah Jo Daily, and Emmalee Emery Magee-Daily; mother-in-law Annie Hoffman of Dardanelle, Arkansas; sister Patricia Holland and husband Robert of Dardanelle, Arkansas; brother-in-law Darrell Rowland of Van Buren, Arkansas; sister-in-law Linda Roberts of Morganton, North Carolina; sister-in-law Kelly Beam and husband Paul of Dardanelle, Arkansas; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

We will honor dad's life with services on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. His sons and close family friend Scottie Wolter will serve as pallbearers. A reception will follow at Harvest Time Church in Van Vleck, Texas.

Our family would like to thank, from the very bottom of our hearts, Mike and Ruby Wendelken, Johnnie and Rachel Staff, and Rhonda Wolter. Their friendship to my parents and their willingness to walk with them through this difficult chapter will never be forgotten. Mike, Johnnie, and Mel's brother-in-law Darrell will serve as honorary pallbearers.

- The Boys