With sadness, the family announces the passing of Rance Joseph Dailey, who died on March 8, 2025, in Hermosillo, Mexico, with his wife by his side. He was 71 years old.
Rance was born on January 18, 1954, in Seattle, Washington, to Celesta Johnson and James Dailey, the eldest of five. He moved to Sitka in 1983, where he worked at Alaska Pulp Co. and Bowen’s Marine, eventually retiring in 2009 as a building equipment mechanic at the U.S. Postal Service.
An avid outdoorsman, Rance owned Runnin’ Bear Charters and participated in the annual fishing derby whenever possible. He was a life-long music enthusiast, building his own professional-caliber home music studio, Runnin’ Bear Studio, where he spent fifteen years writing, engineering, and producing for local musicians.
Rance was preceded in death by his mother, who died in 2017; his father, who died in 2020; and his grandson, Sayer Tuzon, who died in 2024.
He is survived by his wife, Perla Esmeralda Lopez, of San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico; his children, Susan Stevens, Melissa Dailey, River Dailey, Shannon Dailey and Alexander Dailey; his siblings, Robbie Dailey, Russell Dailey, Charles Larson and Celesta Danielson; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many friends and extended family members.
"Our father had a big heart and will be fondly remembered as someone who believed in the inherent goodness of people, holding the conviction that with patience, everything would turn out okay," his family said.
In lieu of a memorial service, a celebration of his life will be held in Sitka this summer, the venue, time and date to be announced.
