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May 9, 1923 - February 21, 2013
James (Jim) O’Donnell Dacus, age 89 years and 10 months passed away Thursday morning February 2l, 2013 at Silverado Senior Living, Plano, Tx. We have lost another one of the Greatest Generation.
An internment and committal service has been scheduled at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery,
2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211 on April 12, 2013. The following link might be helpful: http://www.cem.va.gov/CEMs/nchp/dallasftworth.asp. Please join the family at the Public Information Center and line up in your car in Lane C at 1:15 p.m. We will then drive in procession to Shelter C where a military memorial will be held for Jim. A reception will be planned following internment. Time and place to be announced.
Jim was born in Hermleigh, Texas, Scurry County in 1923 to Arthur L. Dacus and Olive (Oli) Beeks. He was raised around Covington, Texas until he went into the service. He was the fourth of four children. Jim served his country with an honorable discharge from the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941 and World War II in 1946. Jim served in the Navy in the Pacific Theatre with 29 months of sea duty.
He began his sea career as a young man and worked for numerous barge lines located on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers over three decades after the War. After which he owned a small HVAC company for 15 + years before retiring. In his spare time, Jim loved to tinker, repair and rebuild anything that needed to be repaired for friends and family. Jim was truly one of many of the Greatest Generation putting into everyday practice – “use it up, wear it out, and make it do, or do without”. In late life, Jim was a great lover of animals and spoiling his two dogs Max and Scruffy was his greatest pleasure.
Jim is survived by his sister Pauline Baker, as well as his son, James (Donnie) Dacus and wife Beth, daughter Sandra Chapman and husband Charles, grand- children Robert Chapman, Jean Chapman, Laura Cortez and three great grandchildren Madison and Orion Chapman and Drake Cortez and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his sister Maurine Stallings, brother A.E. Dacus, by his first wife Jean (Hudspeth) Dacus with whom he had two children: Sandra and James, and later married Dorothy (Lunsford) Dacus.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to www.operationkindness.org located 3201 Earhart Dr. Carrollton, TX 75006-5025. Please make donations in memory of James O Dacus.
Aria Cremation Service &
Funeral Home
19310 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 75252
214-306-6700 phone
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Nancy Whaley
April 07, 2013 11:45PM
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jim. I know times like this are hard, but we hope he is in a better place. He was so much fun back in the day.
Thinking of all of you at this time.
Nancy and Nicholas too...
Robert Chapman
March 21, 2013 6:19PM
Pop was many things over the course of my life. Always a grandparent, but also a teacher, friend, and example.
From Pop, I learned both sides of the coin - both how to act and behave myself, and sometimes, an example of how not to act.
His sense of humor and work ethic will always be a part of me. I'm sure he is drinking a rum and coke, and eyeing a redhead over his pool game right now. He will be missed!
Jean - granddaughter
March 21, 2013 3:54PM
We love you and miss you Pop!
Jerry Dacus
March 20, 2013 11:37AM
We lost a great person and a great uncle on the passing of J.O.Rest in peace uncle Donald.Judi and I love you and will miss you.
Jerry
JERRY DACUS
March 18, 2013 12:00PM
Uncle Donald you will always be remembered by me and Judi.Seems from the day I was walking you were there to help me anytime Ineeded it.All of us kids remember the 42 games you adults played every week-end either at our house or yours.Of course we were chased out of the room so as not to disturb the old people.
When I got my first car and Dddy was gone you always took care of problems for me.We"miss you coming to Lufkin for your mexican food that you loved so much.Judi was always glad to cook it for our favorite uncle.To a man that had a full and great life May you rest in peace.God knows he will be getting a great engineer.
Jerry and Judi-sends all our love to you.
About My Dad
March 13, 2013 12:16PM
About My Dad,
I have so many funny thoughts, sad thoughts, regretful thoughts but that is how life
is played.
My Dad helped me thru my young life, helped me get my first guitar, amplifier, and later on built from scratch a JBL Voice of the Theatre amplification system built entirely from wood. That was quite an accomplishment. He gave me the keys to the car, told me not to get in trouble Ha ! I got a speeding ticket right in front of our house on Douglas. He was there and saw it. I was grounded.
He was always there to protect our Band when we were to young to know what was going on. He made sure no one took advantage of us when we were selling soft drinks at our JC Center gigs in Cleburne. When we won the Cleburne Centennial Battle of the Bands at the old Armory, He was there. Proud as could be.
As I grew older our family collapsed. As I became more successful our connection disengaged and stumbled.
My sister Sandy, her husband Charles and my nieces and nephew have always been part of my life. I thank them for all of their contributions to help Pop thru his difficult journey. He could have been a contender but chose to always be the Rebel.
He was smart, good looking and had a way with the girls. I am sure he is still chasing them now in another place and time.
I saw him many times, but as Always - The Rebel was Dad.
Brad Quine
March 11, 2013 3:39PM
Sandy,
The world is a lessor place when we loose anyone of this generation. I know your father was one of those larger than life guys. They can never be replaced. Also, thank you for being an example of how to take care of a parent in the later years. Your service and devotion to him shows the love that you had for your father. I'm happy I got to meet him a few times. Luckily God gives us a good storage place for happier times so we can look back at those we love but have lost.
Kind Regards,
Brad Quine
Michael J Dohoney
March 08, 2013 2:08PM
Jim was an inspiring guy. He was so industrious in his efforts to rebuild the old house in Cleburne. He built speaker cabinets for Donnie and Rod that were to exacting specifications. He looked after our band when we needed help with unscrupulous club owners. We're so glad that we got to spend some good family time with the Chapman's and Dacus's during his stay. Bless you for taking good care of James in his last years. Much love and peace,
Georg'Ann Scott & Michael J Dohoney
Sandy and Charles Chapman
March 07, 2013 9:36PM
We love you Dad!
Sandy and Charles
Wileta, Kretzschmar and family
March 07, 2013 9:21PM
Pop was always a gentleman and a pleasure to be with. We will all miss his advice on "fixing" things and his great spirit of love and help to all. He was one of the great men of our time. Love to all, Wileta and family
Karen
March 07, 2013 5:09PM
Love you Pop!
"The angles are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God" Quote by: Eileen Elias Freeman
Lisa/Larry Gould
March 07, 2013 3:33PM
Donnie & Beth so sorry about you loss
love you both and may you feel our embrace from a distance. Peace & Love,
Lisa, Larry and Aaron