Charles Vernon “Buddy” Danley

Charles Vernon “Buddy” Danley, lifelong Midlander, went to Heaven on Friday, June 24, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to O.C. and Irene Danley at the newly opened Western Clinic in downtown Midland on August 28, 1939. Charles was one of the first babies in Midland born at the clinic; Dr. J.B. Thomas delivered him for $25. Since he was the first boy born to older sisters and girl cousins, they nicknamed him Buddy because he was their little buddy. The Danleys moved to Ft. Stockton in 1941 and Charles started school. In Ft. Stockton, he was baptized in an irrigation ditch beside the road. The family moved back to Midland and Charles went to West and South Elementary, Cowden Junior High, and Midland High for his sophomore year. One of his favorite memories in Midland was playing Little League and Pony League and the friends he made. At the end of his sophomore year, the family moved to Lovington, NM, and Charles graduated from Lovington High School in 1957. In Lovington, he made lifelong friends and excelled at baseball, football, boxing and track. In July, following graduation and at seventeen years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for three years.

In August 1960, he started at Odessa College and in his government class he sat behind a young lady. Thinking she had the perfect flip hairstyle, he asked Nancy Thompson out. They dated and transferred to Texas Technological College. November 25, 1964, they walked across the street after their classes and got married in a preacher’s study. That marriage was 57 1/2 years strong. Charles graduated from Tech in May 1966 with a degree in Finance and Banking. He began his career at Production Credit Association in Floydada; his banking career began in Odessa in 1969 at American Bank of Commerce. Charles moved his young family to Midland in 1970 where he loved working as a banker to many Midlanders at Western State Bank, Texas National Bank, and retiring from Community National Bank. He loved helping and teaching many Midlanders, both young and old, about managing their finances.

Charles was involved in coaching Little League and summer league baseball: a highlight was winning state with a team of 15 & 16 year olds in the summer of 1985. He was on the committee that started GMFL in Midland and served on the board, also serving on the Midland Junior Baseball Association and president of the Midland High Booster Club. A favorite pastime was fly fishing above the Rio Grande Reservoir in Colorado in the summers. Charles was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church. He was an avid supporter of every activity and school his children and grandchildren were involved in.

Charles was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by wife, Nancy, his daughter, Susan and her husband Greg McClendon, son David and his wife Karisa; grandchildren Mason McClendon and his wife Kylee, Megan and her husband Carter Robinson,  Lauren and Blair Danley and mother-in-law, Fredda Thompson. A great granddaughter is expected this fall. Charles is also survived by his sisters Thressa Allison, Dorothy Sommers, brother Floyd Danley and his wife Lynne and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was greatly loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed by us all.

Services are scheduled for Thursday, June 30, 2022, at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church Chapel, with burial following at Resthaven.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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