John Thomas Daly, 81, passed away in the early morning of Thursday, December 26, 2024 at the Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas.
John was welcomed to this world on Sunday, May 23, 1943 in Laramie by his parents Robert William “Bob” and Leona Henrietta (Anderson) Daly and his two older siblings, sister Patricia “Patty” and brother Dennis “Denny”. In 1946, the Robert Daly family bought a ranch on Horseshoe Creek outside of Glendo where John would spend the majority of his life. The family ranch is where John’s passion for ranching would grow, along with his love for the Glendo community. When John was 12 and Denny was 16 years old, they started their own custom haying business.
John graduated from Glendo High School in 1960 at the age of 16, and continued his education receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming in agriculture education in 1965. While celebrating his older brother Denny’s engagement to Nancy Weibel, John met the love of his life, Catherine Evelyn “Cathy” Weibel, Nancy’s younger sister. After John graduated from the University of Wyoming, he and Cathy were married in Laramie on May 29,1965 starting their lives together. The newlyweds moved to Hulett so John could start his first teaching job. They would welcome their first son, Shad Zane Daly to the family in September of 1966. In 1967, the family moved back to Glendo when John got a job at Russell Lumber working in the woods near Esterbrook and later building pole barns with Harry McGuire. In February 1969, they would welcome their second son, John Eugene “Gene” Daly. Eventually, John would open his own post and pole plant “Wild Cat Post & Pole” at the edge of town. While running his own business, he would have many memorable adventures with Dennis Brooks working in the woods. During the summer times from 1970-86, John had his own custom hay stacking business working with one of his great friends, Buster Lay. In the summer of 1975, the family welcomed their third and final son, Jack Daniel Daly. After Bob passed away in 1979, John and Cathy bought the family ranch where they would spend the rest of their lives together raising their boys.
In the fall of 1984, John returned to teaching at Glendo High School, where he was able to teach his two younger sons and influence a large number of young men and women. Eventually retiring from teaching in 1994. John ranched with Gene for the next thirty years until his death. During this time, John mentored and employed over 25 young people on the ranch by teaching the value of hard work, giving a different view on life, and the importance of doing the job right. One of the people most influenced and thought of as a son was Jay Meier who lived and spent a great deal of time on the ranch with the family.
In 2002, John became a grandpa when his first granddaughter Emma Daly was born to Jack and Angie Daly. John would be blessed with three additional grandchildren Allison (Jack & Angie), as well as Clay and Justin Daly (Gene and Elaine). John took great pride in all of his grandkids.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Catherine; parents, Robert on August 5, 1978 and Leona on July 23, 1993; sister, Patricia, on February 2, 2004; and brother, Dennis, on December 6, 2014.
John is survived by his sons, Shad (Beth) of Lakewood, Colorado, Gene (Elaine) of Glendo, and Jack (Angie) of Flagler, Colorado; granddaughters Emma and Allison Daly of Flagler; grandsons Clay and Justin Daly of Glendo. As well as by many friends, extended family, and the people John and Cathy welcomed into their home without any second thought.
A memorial service will be held at the Circle G Cowboy Church, 35 Glendo Park Road, Glendo, Wyoming on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Tim Millikin and Pastor Benny Hill officiating.
The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas is assisting with the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
