James “Jim” Steven Daly, aged 75, passed away October 23, 2024, 27 days after his wife Debra, a testament to their deep love and devotion to each other.  Jim suffered from COPD for many years and passed from natural causes at Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County.  Jim was born July 6, 1949 in Minneapolis, MN to John Daly and Shirley L (Nichols) Daly. He will be missed by many and loved forever!

Jim was a mechanic starting at the age16, with encouragement from Bob Jusola.  Jim, worked at many auto service stations, he owned many of them. With his friend and mentor Bob Jusola, a Race Car driver, they started racing in the late 70’s, they both loved racing, and winning many races.  With Deb by Jim’s side, they both grew a huge racing legacy in the Bush and NASCAR series, in Late Model Super Stock Cars. Deb worked with the books and timings at the track.  Jim as a chief pit crew mechanic and had many drivers over the years.  In 2008 He transitioned to driving Semi’s, before his retirement in 2012.

Jim’s wife, Debra (Deb) Lee Daly, age 68, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2024, at her home in Rockwell, North Carolina, with her dear beloved dog Lucy by her side. Debra was born on August 28, 1956 in Minneapolis, MN to Bert and Eileen (Ruud) Rodewald. Debra married James Steven Daly on November 13 1976 and they lived in St Louis Park, MN, Eden Prairie, MN, and Watertown MN. In 1999 they traveled all across the eastern United States, for the Bush and NASCAR series, and ended up in Rockwell North Carolina in 2008.

Debra was the bookkeeper for many businesses and later she did the bookkeeping for Jim’s racing business, she also helped clock race cars at the track. For 20+ years, Debra built a career with Home Depot as a customer service representative, in her spare time she played billiard pool (Eight-ball), later she sold Avon, and always loved to garden alongside her two cats Morris and Misty.

James and Debra were like peanut butter and jelly, spending little time apart. They loved NASCAR and football, being a long-time fan of the MN Vikings, and won many trophies playing on softball and bowling teams together. Their love of NASCAR drove them to move from Minnesota to North Carolina to be closer to The Charlotte Speedway and many race friends made over the years. Living in Rockwell, they made many friends, most notably their dear neighbor, Robin Hulse. Robin and a few other neighbors became very close friend to both of them and often helped Debra care for Jim when she was working or out of town. Jim and Deb will be missed by many and loved forever!

James was preceded in death by his parents; John Daly and Shirley L (Nichols) Daly; Sister Linda Daly; and Debts parents; Bert M Rodewald and Eileen Y (Ruud) Anderson; stepmother Leona C Rodewald and nephew Anthony R Ward. They are survived by many loving siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and racing associates.

Family, friends, and partners in crime are invited to attend a celebration of life for Debra and Jim to take palace on Saturday, December 14th, 2024 at 11 am to 3:30 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1255 Julian Rd, Salisbury, NC, 28146. There will be a small service at noon with refreshments to follow.

A celebration in Minnesota will be held at a later date in 2025

Any condolences, if you cannot attend, can be sent to:

Jim and Debra Daly

226 Brooks Farm Dr,

Rockwell, NC 28138

Carolina Cremation is honored to serve the Daly family.  Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.