John Dailey of Escondido Dies at 61; Civic Leader, GOP Political Force

John Dailey, a dominant force in Escondido political, civic and charitable affairs for 12 years, who founded his own luncheon round table for Republicans, known as the Conservative Order of Good Guys, died Thursday of complications related to leukemia. He was 61.

Dailey’s public service ranged from four years as a President Reagan appointee on the U. S. Trade Commission to serving as a member of the San Diego Stadium Authority to directorships with the Palomar-Pomerado Hospital District, the Escondido Chamber of Commerce and a host of other civic organizations.

Dailey was also an ever-present force in the fund-raising ranks of the Republican Party--locally, statewide and on behalf of national candidates. He is credited for his vision in encouraging the construction of Escondido’s new city hall and plans for an adjoining cultural arts complex as the cornerstone for revitalizing the city’s downtown.

Provoked Thought

“He made us examine whether we’re just a small town or whether there was something special here we could do that would make us world class,” said former Escondido Mayor Jim Rady. “He challenged the good ‘ol boy network, which I guess I’m a member of, to stop thinking in terms of, ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it,’ and made us want to do even better things for our community.”

Ken Lounsbery was the Escondido city manager when he first met Dailey in 1977, after moving to Escondido from Los Angeles. “People were perplexed by his motives. They wondered why someone would be so active in politics unless he was interested in running for public office. John wasn’t. But he reveled in politics and was involved as a matter of principle, as a fiscal conservative.”

Lounsbery characterized Dailey as a fund-raising bulldog on behalf of local charities. “I can remember going to so many meetings where I knew I’d see John, so I’d rehearse how to say ‘no’ to him, and still I’d come away with another six months’ obligation to raise money for one of John’s charities.”

State Sen. Bill Craven (R-Carlsbad) called Dailey “big league” because of his “full command and sweep of the political situation. He was sought after because of his knowledge, his influence and his perceived power. He directed the thinking processes of a lot of people who surrounded him. He set their course and direction, and they followed him.”

Dailey took his politics seriously. Last year, when he spent several months at Duke University and Medical Center in Durham, N.C., for a supervised weight-loss program, Dailey arranged for a telephone hookup so that he could listen to and speak at the Stadium Authority meetings--although he was prohibited from voting.

In 1983, Dailey led a four-member majority of the Palomar-Pomerado Hospital District in voting to give directors a $100-a-meeting stipend, to a maximum of $400 a month--at a time when many of the district’s 1,500 employees were being denied a cost-of-living pay raise. Dailey hardly needed the money, himself a successful businessman and owner of a profitable sand and gravel business. To an audience filled with opponents to his vote, he read a 30-minute prepared statement, first to defend his vote by saying such stipends would cause directors to serve more conscientiously, and then to lash out at the Escondido newspaper for its criticism of his stand.

Dailey is survived by his wife of 26 years, Marilyn; their two children, John T. Jr. and Jacqueline, both of Escondido, and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Alhiser-Wilson Mortuary in Escondido. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido, with graveside services to follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park in Escondido.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the John T. Dailey Leukemia Research Fund, in care of Dr. Ernest Beutler at the Scripps Clinic and Research Center in La Jolla.