Jay Dalley

Jay Perkins Dalley went to be with his precious wife Mary Benona Bolt Dalley on June 6th at 6:03 P. M. in Jane Phillips Memorial Hospital after a short stay. He was born in Murray Spur, Oklahoma the 3rd day of May, 1919. His parents were Vilena and Henry Theodore Dalley. He graduated from High School in Spiro, Oklahoma in 1927 and attended Draughns Business College in Fort Smith, Arkansas. In 1941 he volunteered for the draft into the U.S. Army and spent six years as an enlisted man attaining the rank of Sargeant . He married Mary Benona on December 22, 1942. Kathryn Gail, their only child. Upon discharge from the Army in 1945, he owned and operated a photography shop in Spiro and attended Poteau Junior College where he became Student Body president. Upon graduation from Poteau he attended Oklahoma A M University at Stillwater, where he received a Masters Degree in Agriculture, with the intention of becoming an agriculture teacher. He was contacted by Elbert L. Costner and became the manager of the Poteau Chamber of Commerce in 1952. While with the Chamber he was responsible for many innovations in Poteau and the surrounding communities. He visited many places and attracted several businesses to relocate to the Poteau area. The Poteau Rodeo Arena was one of his pet projects and was named after him. After 19 years with the Chamber of Commerce he went to Central National Bank as a loan officer and eventually became compliance officer and in house auditor. He held those positions until retired. In 2001 they moved to Caney, Kansas to be near their daughter. Jay was preceded in death by his parents and Benona, and is survived by his daughter Kathy and her husband Bill Faulkenberry of Caney. Two brothers Henry Dalley Jr. and wife Frances of California, Chester Dalley of Alabama. He is also survived by three grandsons: Chris Carter of Houston, Texas, Billy Faulkenberry and Wife Marcia of Tulsa, and Bill Cullins and his wife Melinda Allen Cullins M.D of Coffeyville whom he considered a special friend. Two great grand children Katie Carter and Jay Cameron Carter of Houston and Casey Faulkenberry of Pearl Mississippi. Special friends also included Joe and Jeanie Engle of Houston. Will, Christi and Katie Carey of Caney and many other relatives and friends. Services will be at Potts Chapel in Caney, Kansas at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 10, 2010 with the Reverend Brad Sanders of the First Christian Church officiating.