Donald "Don" Daly, Jr

Donald "Don" Daly, Jr., 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on Sunday, April 10, 2016, with his immediate family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 15, 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1620 Milwaukee Ave NE, Aberdeen, where Don was a current active member. Pastor Rhia Strohm will be officiating.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation at the mortuary will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, April 14th, with family members present. A public prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Don's family prefers memorials be given to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Donald "Don" James Daly, Jr. was born April 12, 1935, to Donald Daly, Sr. and Ann (Hartman) Daly in Aberdeen, SD. Don lived his entire life in Aberdeen, graduating from Aberdeen Central High School in 1954. He then went on to attend Northern State Teacher's College. At the age of 20, Don began his professional career as a motorcycle patrolman for the Aberdeen Police Department, a position he held until he successfully won election as Brown County Sheriff in 1966. Don served two terms as Sheriff and was past president of the local Fraternal Order of Police.

In 1959, Don met and married his lifetime love and best friend, Shirley Sharp. They were set to celebrate 57 years of marriage on April 18, 2016. To their union two children were born, Debra Ann Daly and Donald Daly, III. Don and Shirley also raised Shirley's brother, James Sharp, when James and Shirley's parents died while James was in grade school. Don thought of James as his own son. In addition, Don and Shirley welcomed and served as parents to other youngsters in the community that did not have parental guidance in their lives. During his time as policeman, Don was drafted into the United States Army in 1959 and served his country, with Elvis Presley, until he received his Honorable Discharge in 1962.

After serving as Brown County Sheriff, Don changed professions and became a regional manufacturer's representative for major sporting goods lines. He serviced several states in the Midwest and sponsored many sporting goods shows. This required a considerable amount of time away from family, so in 1992 Don became a real estate agent with Gerharter Realtors. He continued this profession until his retirement in 2004.

Don was a kind and generous man who gave of his time to the community in many ways, primarily through civic and service organizations including the Shriners, Masons, and Eagles. He was also generous to people in need. Holidays and birthdays were special to him. He felt that being with family on these occasions was very important, especially holiday dinners at his daughter's house. Don loved to share by teaching his brother-in-law and grandson to hunt and fish, along with other outdoor activities. He was also actively involved in various other young people's activities to combat juvenile delinquency. He conducted National Rifle Association hunter safety courses for young hunters age 12 and over. Along with this, he also initiated the shooting program for the State School for the Blind in Aberdeen, a program that brought him national recognition. Don was among the top pistol shooters in the state and won several awards on the state level. He participated in the first South Dakota High School rodeo. He was active in 4-H as counselor, Boy Scouts, church and civic groups. Don loved to talk to people. Telling jokes and recounting past experiences as a police officer to his grandson was a favorite pastime. Thursday lunches with his grandson, coffee with his buddies, attending Northern State University basketball and football games with his son-in-law, and spending time at his Enemy Swim lake home for 43 years were also special to him. Other pastime activities involved traveling with family and Canadian fishing trips with his son and grandson.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley, daughter, Debra (Delbert) Bierman, brother-in-law, James Sharp (Charlean Martz), grandson, Jonathon Beitelspacher, and great-grandson, Owen Beitelspacher, all of Aberdeen; his brother, Dennis (Sue) Daly of Webster, SD; brother-in-law, Gary (JoAnn) Troske of Kelso, Washington; and other family members including many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Don in death were his parents; son, Don Daly III; sister, Donna Daly; and sister-in-law, Rita Troske.