Walter Dacus

James Walter Dacus, Jr., 82, passed away at home on June 21, 2013. Mr. Dacus, known as “Pops” to his loving family and close friends, was born March 20, 1931 to James Walter Dacus, Sr. and Virginia Burrows Dacus Burgess.

He was predeceased by his father, James Dacus, Sr. and his sister Martha Conklin. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janice Rich Morton Dacus of Germantown, his three children, Dorothy Northam (Doug) of Franklin, TN, Murray Dacus (Jamie) of Bartlett, TN and Sheldon Dacus (Susan) of Germantown; six grandchildren, Sean Northam, Amy Hillard (Joseph), Ryan Dacus (Megan), Shannon Dacus, Drew Dacus and Wesley Dacus, and two great-grandsons, Brayden Hillard and Harper Dacus. He is also survived by his mother, Virginia Burgess, his brother, Charles Dacus (Betty), his sister, Edna Fortune (Charlie) and his half-sister, ‘Sis’ Crutcher.

Mr. Dacus graduated from Fayette County High in Somerville, TN. He worked at the Ford Motor Company after graduation before joining the Air Force where he served two years, receiving an honorable discharge. After leaving the Air Force, he enrolled in the University of Memphis and graduated with a BS in business. He was employed by First Tennessee Bank for the rest of his working career. At First Tennessee, he was an officer in charge of Operations and later, First Express.

After retirement in 1995, Mr. Dacus began a second career of gardening, spending most of his time at the Shelby Farms Senior Gardens, furnishing his entire family and most of their friends with bountiful produce from those gardens. He and his wife also enjoyed square-dancing with the Dixie Dudes and Dolls. His first hobby, however, was supporting his TIGERS. He held season tickets to the Tiger basketball and football games from 1953 until 2012, when he became too ill to attend the games.

Funeral Services for Mr. Dacus were held at the Germantown United Methodist Church on Monday, June 24th, where he was a faithful member of the Finney Class. Burial with Military Honors followed at 4:00 P.M. Monday at the Friendship Cemetery in Moscow, Tennessee.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorial tributes may be sent to Friendship Cemetery, c/o Betty Dacus, 2065 Fortune Road, Moscow, TN 38057, University of Memphis Tiger Scholarship Fund, Athletics Development, 260 Athletic Office Building, Memphis, TN 38152 or the charity of the donor's choice.