Horace Clay Dacus, a WWII veteran, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2017, in Denton, Texas. He was three weeks shy of his 96th birthday.

Horace was born on October 30, 1921, in Russellville, Arkansas, to Horace Clayton and Lois Mae (Huff) Dacus. He and his wife, Faye Lucy Dacus, also originally of Russellville, married on June 28, 1941.

Mr. Dacus is survived by his wife of 76 years, Faye and their four children: Randall of California, Dr. Joel Dacus and his wife Ronda of Texas, Pam of California, and Karen of Virginia; three grandchildren: Paul and Alisha (son & daughter of Joel) and Evan (son of Karen & Robert); and two great-grandchildren, Oliver (age 3) and Augustine (new born), sons of Paul Dacus and his wife, Larissa of Florida.

He was predeceased by his parents and infant son, Keith.

Horace spent his first 18 years growing-up in idyllic Russellville, Arkansas. Sunny Los Angeles became home for the next 50 years. He enjoyed 27 years of retirement in Chico, California; and in his final adventurous year, he visited Sanger and Denton, Texas, still with his beloved wife, Faye by his side, near their son, Joel and daughter-in-law, Ronda.

Horace Dacus was a retired Logistics and Aerospace Engineer. He established several businesses during his lifetime, including the respected Dacus Engineering Company of Southern California. As an esteemed consultant and expert, Mr. Dacus assisted in the engineering of numerous military aircraft, tanks, computer systems and other vital equipment. He is a member of "the Greatest Generation," an honored WWII veteran, who was trained as a military medic, yet ultimately instructed airmen in the then new technology of radar as a Sergeant in the Air Force.

Beyond his many accomplishments listed above are his aptitudes as a watchmaker, jeweler, and locksmith, his ability to build his own home and tools, and fix his own cars. He was an airplane pilot and flight instructor, a resourceful, DIY-man with the ability to read anything and immediately have it memorized.

First and foremost, however, Horace was a husband and father. He cherished and respected his wife, Faye, his life-long best friend; and he loved his children, grand and great-grand children deeply. A man of character, Horace was disciplined, loyal, self-reliant, and intelligent; he was astute, ever-capable and embodied true inner strength.

"Dad" didn't always talk about his love, instead he demonstrated it. He took his responsibility as a provider seriously and willingly made sacrifices for his kids. He was always a teacher and equally had a very sweet side. Dad loved and adored his children; he enjoyed taking us everywhere he and mom went, from treks to the local store to cross-country family road trips. Dad always had a soft-spot for little children; each youngster he happened upon would be the recipient of his smiles and jokes.

It's truly impossible to memorialize Horace C. Dacus in just a few words. He was the type of individual that exemplifies what it means to be American: independent, resourceful, and steadfast. A man who quietly made an impact on many lives and is a symbol of all that is great about being traditionally American.

Dad consoled his family when he said, "I always do whatever I can myself, but when I can't do any more, I rely on Him." Then dad pointed up to Heaven.

We will always love you, H.C., Horace, Junior, Dad, Gramps and Pop-Pop. We'll be thinking of you every day until we all meet again.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.