Francis “Paul” Daley, 75, of Cameron, died unto Christ on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at his home.
Paul was born in Newport News, Virginia to Robert and Lucy Daley on July 16, 1947. He lived in the Newport News area until he joined the United States Air Force after graduating from high school.
Following his time in the military, Paul was involved with The Navigator’s ministry to college students in Florida and later worked for several residential camping programs for troubled youth with the Eckerd Foundation. During his time working for the Eckerd programs he met the love of his life, Lisa, and they were married in 1977. Paul and Lisa were led to serve the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina in 1980. They worked as emergency home parents for two years as they expectantly awaited their move to Cameron, North Carolina to begin working at Cameron Boys Camp.
In 1982, Paul became Assistant Director of Cameron Boys Camp and then became Director in 1989. In 2009, Paul helped start Camp Duncan for Girls in Aberdeen and served there as Director until 2019. Most recently, Paul served as the Senior Advisor of Wilderness Camping for both programs.
In 1973, Paul felt a call from God upon his life to work with children in need through residential wilderness camping programs and he was obedient to that call for the past 50 years. Paul continued contributing to the camp programs in home hospice care as he was able to write and publish a book to pass along to current employees and supporters of the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association.
Paul was a member of First Baptist Church, Southern Pines where he enjoyed worshipping with his family and participating in his Sunday School class. Paul was always grateful for the church’s support of the local camp programs and of his family, especially during the loss of his daughter to cancer in 2017.
Paul was a devoted Christian, never hesitating to share about Jesus with others, even with strangers he met at yard sales while he was hunting for treasures, or “junk” as his wife would call it. He was a man of other hobbies too, like fishing and woodworking, in which he was excellent.
Paul always had a Bible verse to share for every situation. One of his greatest joys was being able to lead many young people to Christ through his work at camp.
Paul was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was a jovial person, witty, funny, full of life and full of love for his family, others, and for Christ.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Christy. Paul is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lisa, his son, Joseph Daley (Sarah), his daughter, Catherine Daley, daughter, Bethany Saburro(Jacob), his three grandchildren, Annabelle, Charlie, and Lucy Daley, and his sister, Peggy Matthews.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines with the Rev. Dr. David Helms officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall with light refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Camp Duncan for Girls (PO Box 1462, Aberdeen, NC 28315) and Cameron Boys Camp (PO Box 277, Cameron, NC 28326).
The service will be available via livestream for those who are unable to attend in person. You can watch at www.bit.ly/pauldaleymemorialservice or www.bit.ly/pauldaleyserviceonvimeo.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
