Pete Roy Dailey III
Our Beloved Father, Grandfather & Friend
87 Years • Called Home Monday June 9th, 2026
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Matthew 25:23
If you were ever fortunate enough to meet him, one thing was certain—within moments you would have heard a sermon, learned exactly where he stood politically, knew he loved his family and farmland, he never left any doubts. Beneath every word, behind every conviction, his one true and unwavering goal was always the same: you would come to know the Lord. Pete was the first to remind you neither he nor any man is perfect, and through the Lord, there is a way to heaven. He tried to live that truth every single day of his 87 years as a man of faith.
It is with hearts full of grief yet gratitude, the Dailey family announces the peaceful passing of our beloved father, who was called home by his Lord and Savior on Monday June 9th, 2026. He lived 87 faithful years upon this earth—years marked not by fame nor fortune; however, he was known to be found at an auction any hour of the day. Pete did have an uncommon generosity of spirit, and a quiet, enduring love for his family and his fellow man.
His living foundation of every decision made, every kindness he extended, and every hardship he bore was through his faith. It shaped him into the man his family and friends knew and loved, and it is the very reason those who were closest to him saw the light of God reflected in his eyes.
Pete was blessed with a God-given talent few possessed: the rare ability to look upon a piece of land and know its worth—not through charts or calculations alone, but through an instinct that seemed to come from somewhere deeper than learning. Those who worked alongside him and sought his counsel marveled at this gift, truly a connection to the land. He knew the value of a piece of land where others could only estimate, and he did so with quiet confidence, born of years of dedication to farming and extreme hard work. The kind of work ethic that is passed on for generations.
He was extraordinarily frugal—careful and deliberate with every dollar, never wasteful, never indulgent. Yet, in the same spirit that so carefully counted costs of things, there lived an enormous and tender heart for those who had nothing. Long before it was fashionable or celebrated, he was among the very first to open his hands to the homeless—to see dignity in those whom the world passed by, to act upon their needs without hesitation or fanfare, to celebrate their shared humanity. Never for recognition. Pete did it because his faith demanded it, a man who would never turn a blind eye. As part of his legacy, he has left a large part of his estate to St. Jude Hospital and Shriners Hospital to give back to the ones less fortunate.
He suffered his share of loss and tragedies. With one of life’s most profound hardships, Pete was called upon to raise five children alone following the passing of his beloved wife, Bettye Lee in 1976. He rose to that challenge with everything he had. He was not a perfect man—no man is—but he was a present one. He gave his children everything he could and more. He did the best, and more, with the tools he had, and that best was immeasurable.
“He taught me love, giving, and fostered all the good that is in me. My Dad led me to Christ and His Faith in the Lord made him a wonderful father to me. He gave me the best gift anyone could ever have given me—he gave me love and the ability to love.”
— Deborah Jane Dailey Ball, his daughter
He leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in acres appraised or dollars saved, but in the lives that were touched by his quiet faithfulness, in the children he raised, the strangers he fed, and the ground he walked with integrity. He loved the Lord, and the Lord loved him well. We find comfort in the certainty that those words spoken to the faithful servant in the parable were spoken to him as he crossed into glory: “Well done.”
Those Who Carry Him Forward
He is survived by, and forever cherished, in the hearts of:
PRECEDED IN DEATH BY
- His Beloved Late Wife — Bettye Lee Dailey
- Late Son — Jamie Allen Dailey
- His Late Father — Pete R. Dailey, Jr
- His Late Mother — Ruby Dailey
- Late Sister — Carol Dailey Thomas
- Late Sister-in-Law — Lenette H. Dailey
- Late Sister-in-Law — Sharon Lee Russell
- Late Daughter-in-Law — Betsy Allen Dailey
- Late Granddaughter — Susanna York Dailey
- Late Granddaughter — Julia Katherine “Katy” Dailey
- Late Nephew —Micheal Lane Dailey
- Late Nephew —Earl Walter Thomas
ALSO SURVIVED BY
- Longtime Companion — Tammy Bryant
- Son — Pete Roy Dailey IV
- Son — Randy Dailey and Daughter-in-Law Anne Dailey
- Daughter — Deborah Jane Dailey Ball and Son-in-Law Jimmy Ball
- Son — Thomas Nelson Dailey and Daughter-in-Law Julie Dailey
- Brother — Fred Nelson Dailey and Sister-in-Law Sallie Bette Dailey
- Sister-in-Law — Anne Bernice Brown
- Sister-in-Law — Mona Gail Thomas and Brother-in-Law Rodley Thomas
- Brother-in-Law — Earl Thomas
GRANDCHILDREN
- Granddaughter — Lauren Ball Levenson and Grandson-in-Law Joesph Levenson
- Granddaughter — MaKenzieLee Ball DiDaniels and Grandson-in-law George Louis DiDaniels III
- Granddaughter — Alexis Ball Waldrop and Grandson-in-Law Brett Aaron Waldrop
- Granddaughter – Kara Ball Barnes and Grandson-in-Law Gary David Barnes
- Granddaughter – Jamie Leigh Jackson
- Granddaughter — Faith Anne Hudson and Grandson-in-Law Joshua Adam Hudson
- Grandson — Daniel Allen Dailey
- Grandson-in-Law — Michael Evan Kirk
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN
- Great-Grandson — Sawyer Dailey Kirk
- Great-Grandson — Nash York Kirk
- Great-Grandson — Chapman Michael Kirk
- Great-Granddaughter — Ella Katherine Jackson
- Great-Granddaughter — Ava Leigh Jackson
- Great-Grandson — Jake Anthony Jackson
- Great-Granddaughter — Sloane Elise Barnes
- Great-Grandson — Beckett James Barnes
- Great-Granddaughter — Vivian Lee Vyverberg
- Great-Granddaughter — Drew Elise Levenson
- Great-Granddaughter — Ava Vanessa (Nessa) Levenson
- Great-Grandson — Landon Levenson
- Great-Grandson — George Louis DiDaniels IV
- Great Grandson- Parker James Waldrop
- Great Grandson- Wade Oakley Waldrop
- Great-Granddaughter — Arabella Jane Hudson
- Great-Granddaughter — Alexandra Joy Hudson
- Great-Granddaughter — Annelise Danielle Hudson
- Great-Grandson — Adam Scott Hudson
- Great-Nephew – Steven Thomas
- Great-Nephew – Todd Thomas
- Great-Nephew – Greg Thomas
Honorary Pall Bearers: Asa Hazelwood, Jim Hazelwood, Mark Hazelwood, Jackie Hazelwood, Suggar Hazelwood and Susie Hazelwood,
ARRANGEMENTS
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main St., Paris, Kentucky.
In lieu of Flower donations to either Bedford Christian Church & Mt Zion Christian Church.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no lengthy service.
Family and friends are lovingly invited to
a Memorial service will take place at Bedford Acres Christian Church on Paris Pike in Paris KY Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ noon where prayers will be offered,
scriptures read, and hymns sung to lay him to rest. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM Saturday June 27, 2026, until hour of service at the church. Burial will be at the Evergreen Memory Gardens, Paris, KY
Following the burial there will be a luncheon to Honor Pete at the church and everyone is welcome.
Please join family and friends for food at the church afterwards.
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“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7
