Ed Dailey of Houston, TX passed from this life to the glorious next on December 29, 2018. During what he knew were his final days with family and friends, he shared that "I had a wonderful life, with an excellent wife and three children of whom I am extremely proud."

Ed was born on March 30, 1925 to Elizabeth and Harry Dailey in South Amboy, NJ. After graduation from St. Mary's High School, Ed entered the United States Navy during World War II. He served as an Aerial Gunner and then on the aircraft carrier USS Midway as an Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class, which required him to bring planes from below deck and verify they were flight worthy. Throughout his life, Ed remained proud of his service to the country he loved.

Upon his discharge, with the assistance of the GI Bill, Ed enrolled in Seton Hall University, where he earned a degree in Chemistry. He started his lifelong career as a Chemist with Standard Oil of California in New Jersey before joining Ethyl Corporation in New York. It was at Ethyl that he met the love of his life, Dot, and they were married in 1957.  Ed's career took the family from New York to Louisiana and ultimately to Houston. During his career, Ed traveled the world troubleshooting refinery equipment, from Israel to along the Amazon and throughout South America to Antigua and to Europe. He and Dot also enjoyed traveling together, with memorable cruises, trips to Europe and to the Grand Tetons for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Dot passed away in 2015, after suffering with Alzheimer's Disease for close to a decade. Ed's daily devotion to Dot during her illness was unwavering. As he repeatedly stated, "Dot took care of me for 50 years, it is now my turn to take care of her." Dot and Ed's three children, Linda, Colleen and Michael, along with Michael's wife Jessica and their two children, Skylar and John, were witnesses to the true meaning of love and marriage.

Ed volunteered for decades at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, serving along with Dot as an advisor to the Catholic Youth Organization, as well as being an usher, a member of the Knights of Columbus and when needed, or when Dot told him to, a handyman and tree trimmer. Upon his retirement from Core Laboratories, he became a Master Gardener, and also gave of his time to Northwest Assistance Ministries and the Science Resource Center in Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District.

At the age of 90, Ed made the decision to enter assisted living, where he remained intellectually and socially active, reading many books weekly and starting a Book Club. Ed was honored by thrice-weekly visits from Hank Petri, who, with his wife Carol, remained dear friends, both sharing Ed's love of reading. Jeanne Flannelly, who with her late husband Ray, had been close friends of Dot and Ed's for many years, was an ongoing source of good memories and laughter. Bubba Padon provided nourishment for Ed's mind and body through consistent servings of interesting conversation, milkshakes and caramel lattes.

The family would like to thank the staff and hospice nurses of Brookdale for their care of Ed. He left this world with dignity and respect, and for that we are enormously grateful.

Ed's deep love of his faith, family and country were extraordinary. He was warm and funny, loving a good joke or one-liner until his final days. His last words were full of love and thankfulness   He will be dearly missed.

Services for Ed will include a visitation at Klein Funeral Home Champions, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, on Thursday, January 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Prince of Peace, 19222 State Highway 249, on Friday, January 4, at 9:30 a.m. Internment will immediately follow at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive.

For those wishing to make a donation in Ed's memory, arrangements have been made with Barbara Bush Library Friends, Barbara Bush Branch Library @ Cypress Creek, Attention: Clara Maynard, 6817 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77379. Ed enjoyed visiting this library until it was severely damaged during Hurricane Harvey. Now that it is reopened, the staff will use donations to purchase much-needed adult books, which will include a remembrance of Ed.