Rick Daley
Rick L. Daley, 71, of Grant, passed away on March 29, 2022, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Rick was born December 27, 1950, at Fort Collins, Colorado, to Frankie C. and Norma J. (Cox) Daley. Rick graduated from high school at Fleming, Colorado, in 1968. Rick earned an associate’s degree from Northeastern Junior College at Sterling after attending UNL for a brief stint, where he played football.
Rick subsequently entered the US Army in January of 1970, where he served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Following his discharge in 1973, Rick returned home a very different man. His wartime experience shaped his life thereafter, and he entered Fitzsimons Health for PTSD treatment.
Rick eventually became a truck driver and was primarily associated with Monfort, Inc. On November 1, 2002, Rick married Diana Waller, and the couple eventually relocated to Grant, Nebraska, searching for a more tranquil way of life. Rick continued to operate his trucking business until his health would no longer allow.
Rick found peace when he was outdoors, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing when he got the chance. Rick bore the invisible wounds of Vietnam, having lost many friends, along with his serenity. Though he was greatly afflicted, God’s grace found its way into Rick’s life as it tends to do. On his first homecoming, Rick was found, in a sense, to have been lost to the harshness of war.
It is fitting that in this final homecoming, he is healed and enjoying a place where there is no sorrow and all tears are wiped away.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Becky.
Survivors include his wife, Diana of Grant along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial has been established in Rick’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. Private inurnment will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell at a later date.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.