Fred Junior Dayley

Fredrick Junior “Fred” Dayley was born August 11, 1927 in Burley, Idaho, and passed away September 1, 2020 in Hammond, Louisiana. Fred was the first of 12 children born to Neva Viola Yearsley Dayley Wixom and Solomon Fredrick Dayley.

Fred spent his first 17 years in Springdale, a small farm community near the city of Burley in south-central Idaho’s Cassia County. His first years of school were in a small four-room elementary school in Springdale and his final school years were in Burley where he graduated from Burley High School in 1945. He was active in sports and other things and he won second place in the Idaho State high hurdles competition. He earned his strong work ethic taking the responsibilities of being the oldest of what became a family of 12 children as well as through participation in all phases of agriculture. Along with his brothers all the farmers wanted “The Dayley Boys,” as they came to be known. Early in life Fred developed the reputation of honesty, hard work and always doing a good job.

At the age of 17, with his parents signature, he joined the United States Navy to participate in World War II. Months later, the war was over, Fred was honorably discharged from the Navy and he was assigned to decommission ships in Orange Texas.

In his words: “I met my partner for life at this time, Joyce Theresa Roy. Her mom and dad became my second mom and dad. I was playing basketball for the Navy against the Cities Service Refinery team and I was not getting any playing time. I spotted Joyce sitting in the stands behind me. I found out that the high school team was playing the next night and I told her I would be back. I went over like a lead balloon!”

Fred attended the high school football game and commented to his navy buddy “that is who I am going to marry.” The response was, “good luck, she is dating the team captain. But Fred used his skills of persuasion, determination and hard work paid off.” I was persistent though and finally won her hand and we were married November 1, 1947 and that young lady, Joyce Theresa Roy, was the love and focus of Fred’s life for the next 52 years.

After their marriage in 1947 and Fred’s discharge from the Navy in 1948 the Dayley’s moved to Idaho where Fred attended Idaho State College in Pocatello, Idaho. Joyce was excited to see the first snow storm but after one of the most difficult winters in Idaho history to that point, she determined returning to heat, humidity and hurricanes was a better option. They returned to Louisiana and Fred worked at the DuPont Sabine River Works Plant in Orange and retired from there in 1985. Fred became a true “Cajun”; a title of which he was very proud.

Fred’s entire life was devoted to the love of his life, Joyce. He made sure she was able to participate in her church, American Legion Auxiliary and supported her in every function of home and community life. When she preceded him in death, Fred made sure she had a lasting legacy by establishing a scholarship fund at McNeese State University in her name for graduating seniors at Vinton High School. At his death, at his direction, a scholarship fund has also been established in his name at McNeese State University for graduates of Vinton High School.

Fred became completely immersed in Vinton and Louisiana, his adopted home. He was deeply involved with every facet of his new home and after his honorable Navy discharge, Fred became one of the fixtures in American Legion post 208 for the rest of his life. Fred served as adjutant at American Post 208 from 1965 until his death. He served the Vinton community in a variety of capacities including coaching youth sports teams, Boys and girls State, and community events. He was a friend, father figure, mentor, and listening ear to unnumbered individuals. He created a truly “Safe house” for adults, youth and children in Vinton. “Mr. Fred” was known throughout the community as a giving, sharing individual who was totally committed to serving his family, neighbors, members of his church, in short- everyone with whom he came in contact.

For the past 21 years Fred became totally immersed in service to his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He made sure the local missionaries experienced his shrimp and shrimp-corn boil every week and was their unofficial “chauffeur” on a regular basis. He even met his goal of “indexing” more than 100,000 names for the Family Search data base.

Fred is survived by his 11 siblings, Jack Dayley, St. George Utah; Norman Dayley, Albion Idaho; David Dayley, Shoreline Washington; Lucille Brower, Meridian Idaho; Robert Dayley, Quincy Washington; Jean Smith, Owosso Michigan; Connie Hyde, Cedar City Utah; Thomas Dayley, Boise Idaho; Ray Dayley, Auburn, Washington; Dan Dayley, Grand Junction Colorado; Scott Dayley, Logan Utah; 54 nieces and nephews and innumerable surrogate family members.

A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the American Legion Post 208 in Vinton. Words of comfort and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.hixsonvinton.com