Leland Dale Day

Leland Dale Day, 66, of Nevada, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo., following a sudden illness. He was born on Oct. 23, 1944, in Odessa, Mo., to Harvey Day and Edna Mae Westerhold Day. He married Danette F. Sullivan on June 1, 1968, in Odessa, Mo., and she survives of the home.

Leland graduated from Odessa High School in 1962. He then attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg from 1962-1968 and obtained a bachelor's degree as well as a master's in education. He taught from 1966-1968 at Odessa High School. Leland served in the Army from 1969-1971. He taught and coached at Moberly High School from 1971-1975. In 1975 he and Danette moved to Nevada, where he taught and coached thousands of students from 1975-1998. He retired in 1998 and had been teaching classes at Crowder College in Nevada for the past several years. Leland spent his life teaching and coaching students with the majority being in Nevada. He taught physical education and drivers' education for about 30 years. He coached numerous sports, football and track being his favorite sports. If you went to school in Nevada more than likely you were taught or coached by Coach Day. He was a coach for the 1975 Nevada Tiger Football team as well as the head track coach for the 1994 Girls' State Champions.

Leland had many great memories of the coaches and players that he worked with over the years. In his retirement, Leland most enjoyed being with his family and new grandson. His love of teaching continued as he worked with students at Crowder College to help them continue their education.

Leland enjoyed watching many sports, especially college football.

He loved spending his time with his best buddy "Elway" the dog and we don't know who enjoyed the walks more.

In addition to his wife, Danette, survivors include one son, Eric Day and his wife, Heather, Olathe, Kan.; one daughter, Angela Day and her fiancé, Mike Wilson, Charleston, S.C.; one grandson, Brodyn Day, Olathe, Kan.; two brothers, Harvey Day, Grandview, Mo., and Bill Day, El Dorado Springs, Mo.; one sister, Mary Ellen Casanover, O'Fallen, Mo.; numerous nieces and nephews; and the many students and athletes whose lives he has touched throughout the years.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, March 28, at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. William Cox and the Rev. Gary Reed officiating. Friends may call now and until 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. The family receives friends from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the Leland Day Scholarship Fund in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com