Jack Lee Dail, Sr.

Jack L. Dail, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.

Born on October 21, 1932, in Cambridge, Maryland, Jack was the son of the late William H. Dail, Sr. (“Ducky”) and Mildred T. Dail (Rose). Jack enlisted in the United States Navy in 1951, serving his country with pride. During his service, he was stationed in Johnsville, Pennsylvania; Brunswick, Maine; Argentina; Newfoundland; and Port Lyautey, Morocco—experiences that shaped his deep appreciation for history and battlefields.

On February 20, 1954, Jack married the love of his life, Shirley T. Dail. She was truly the light of his life, and even 68 years into their marriage, Jack proudly referred to her as his “bride.” Their love story was one of devotion, partnership, and plenty of laughter.

After returning home from the Navy, Jack and Shirley planted roots in Cambridge where Jack built their lifelong home in Bucktown. There, they raised their four children and created a home where many felt welcome & comfort. Jack began a 30-year career with the A&P Grocery Store, where his strong work ethic was well known. Even after retirement, Jack wasn’t one to sit still, he went on to work as a mason with Bill Lewis & Sons and later as a carpenter for local home improvement contractors.

In his later years, he could often be found working in his yard, carefully “inventorying” his tools to make sure everyone had returned what they borrowed, or sitting around the table at Bucktown with family, telling stories—often with his signature smart wit and perfectly timed humor. Jack had many passions, but his family always remained his greatest accomplishment.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Shirley T. Dail, his brother William H. Dail, Jr. (Peggy), and daughter-in-law’s Wendy Dail & Nancy Farrell. He is survived by his children Jack L. Dail Jr, Jill L. Dail, Chuck E. Dail Sr., Jeff S. Dail. His grandchildren William D. Jones, Charles E. Dail Jr. (Meghan), Amanda M. Hutton (David), Jordan C. Linthicum (Steven), Jaclyn L. Dail, Eden Q. Dail; His great grandchildren William D. Jones Jr., Blake T. Jones, Salem R. Hutton, Chandler B. Linthicum, Lucy M. Linthicum, and Rowan L. Hutton and his special nieces Donna Jones and Debbie Ellis.

Jack will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud veteran, skilled craftsman, and storyteller whose humor and warmth filled every room he entered. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished and the home and life he built with love.

Jack will be buried beside his "bride" Shirley, at a private family service at Old Trinity Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s name can be sent to, St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The House that Jack Built

A man that learned with his hands but built with his heart. With no formal training, only resolve, he built a home strong enough to hold his family and his future. Brick by brick he created stability where there was none; paving a way for a vision he didn’t care if you understood. If you got the pleasure of coming inside you’d know he had a deep love for lighthouses — not just for how they looked against the horizon but what they stood for. Lighthouses are steady. They don’t chase the storm away, but they shine through it. They stand quietly guiding others home. In many ways that is how he lived his life. He was a constant presence, reliable, strong, and calm when things felt uncertain. He didn’t need praise or attention; he just showed up time and time again offering guidance, protection, and light in his own steady way. Like a lighthouse, his strength wasn’t loud but it was unmistakeable. And though he may no longer stand where we can see him, the light he gave — his love, his values, his example — continues to guide us. We will carry that light forward and it will always guide us home.