Daniel Killday Obituary

Daniel Richard "Rick" Killday, 66, of Columbia, MO, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 11, 2025, while residing at The Lodge in Fayette, MO - where he was lovingly cared for (and occasionally kept in line) after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

He was born December 19, 1958, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of the late Robert A. and Shirlene (Morehead) Killday. Rick grew up as a small child in LaGrange, MO before moving to Kirksville, MO, where he graduated from Kirksville Senior High School in 1977. He married his wife, Judy (Bahr) Killday, his 8th-grade sweetheart, who still lives in their Columbia home after 48 years of marriage - proof that miracles do happen.

Other survivors include his daughter Kari Hutchison (Chris Hernandez) and son Matthew Killday (Casey); grandchildren Morgan (Ethan), Chloe, and Jaxon; and great-grandchildren Derek, Willow, Dane, and Lainey.

He is also survived by a small army of siblings: Karen (Dave) Shelledy, Teresa Roberts, Lori (Glen) Eitel, Lisa (Bob) Anderson, Susie (Anthony) Kitchen, Karla Killday, and Kelly (Matt) Holt, as well as brother Robert F. Killday. Extended family includes sister-in-laws Ruth (John) Thomas, Janeen Bahr, Terry (Tom) Breidenstein, Sandi Bahr, Susan Nolte, and brother-in-law Charles (Kathy Kreutzer) - plus 15 nieces, 23 nephews, and 54 great-nieces and nephews, most of whom can thank Rick for teaching them a few "colorful" phrases on the golf course.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Mike Killday; brother-in-laws Mitch Roberts, Bob Bahr, David Bahr, Barry Baker; sister-in-laws Chris Killday and Donna Baker.

While attending Northeast Missouri State (Truman) University and Indian Hills Community College in southeast Iowa, Rick worked weekends with his father and uncles in utility line work. He developed a lifelong passion for that field and earned his Journey Lineworker accreditation while employed with Houston Lighting & Power Company in Houston, TX. He later returned to Missouri with his family and devoted 30 years to Ameren, where he worked his way up from the lines to Construction Supervisor of Boonville/Moberly, and eventually Superintendent and Construction Supervisor roles in Jefferson County, Ellisville, Dorsett, and St. Charles.

Rick was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, the best grandpa, and friend - known equally for his generosity and his ability to say volumes with a grunt . He loved golf (and betting on golf), time at the lake, traveling, and watching the Chiefs.

He and Judy attended The Crossing Church in Columbia, MO, where he showed up faithfully - mostly because Judy said she wasn't saving him a seat in heaven otherwise.

Rick had a signature cricket whistle that could stop conversations, start laughs, order a beer, or summon you from across a parking lot - and even when Alzheimer's tried to take everything else, that whistle occasionally came out.

Rick gave his heart, time, and money to others quietly and often. He picked up every check and was the first person you would call if you were doing a big project or needed help moving... or someone to a drink beer and watch while you do a big project or move.

Per Rick's request years ago, he will be cremated, and his life will be celebrated with family and friends sharing memories, stories, and probably a few bad jokes.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy (and unpaid bets) be made as donations to The Lodge Assisted Living Facility in Fayette, MO, or Good Shepherd Hospice out of Marshall, MO - both of whom were instrumental in keeping him comfortable, well cared for, and just grumpy enough to still be Rick.