Danny Ailey, longtime resident of Tonkawa, passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2012, at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was 58.

The funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at First Baptist Church of Tonkawa with burial following in IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Anderson Funeral Home of Tonkawa.

Danny Ray Ailey was born Jan. 8, 1954, in Blackwell, the son of Floyd and Lucille Ailey. Danny and his family moved to Tonkawa in 1955. He graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1973.

Danny Joined the United States Marine Corps and proudly served our country. He was stationed in Okinawa and the Philippines. After the Marine Corps, Danny enrolled in Northern Oklahoma College/Alva Law Enforcement Program.

On Aug. 22, 1975, Danny married Paula Buffalow in the Tonkawa Methodist Church. They remained in Tonkawa where they raised their family.

Danny loved being with his family. He was an amazing friend, a reliable brother, a blessing of a son, a hero of a father, and a loving husband. Danny was always proud to claim the title of a United States Marine. He lived his life with honor, courage and commitment.

Danny loved to hunt, fish, and spend time with his family. He lived his life according to the corps. Every chance he got to spend time outdoors, he would take it. He loved to hunt, fish and spend time on the family farm. Danny was a hard working, dependable man and, most important, a man of God.

He is survived by his wife Paula of the home; daughter, Jennilee Ailey and son, Dakota Ailey, both of Tonkawa; father, Floyd Ailey and wife Sondra of Nardin; brother, Ricky Ailey of Nardin; stepsister, Debra Yeary of Ponca City; stepbrother, Dennis Ailey of Ponca City; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Ailey; his son, Chad Ailey; maternal grandparents, Alford and Mary Allen; and paternal grandparents, Loren and Ruth Naoma Ailey.