Dennis Dailey was born on September 30, 1938, the son of Floyd and Hazel Dailey. He received a bachelor's degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota (1960), as well as a master's degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia (1963) and a doctoral degree from Washington University in St. Louis (1971), all in social work. He undertook additional study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Social Work Institute for the Study of Sex (summer 1976).

Dailey began teaching at KU in 1969 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor (1974) and professor (1980). He received emeritus status in 2005. He was also an adjunct clinical professor/instructor at the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and Mental Health Sciences, Center for Sexual Health, in Topeka (1979-96) and an adjunct professor at the Union Institute Graduate School (1993-96) in Cincinnati. He also had a private therapy practice, certified in sex education and sex therapy, and continued to consult with other practitioners into his retirement.

Dailey received numerous teaching awards, including the HOPE award from KU seniors in 1993; the Outstanding Educator Award from the Mortar Board College Senior Honor Society (2002); and KU's Social Work Faculty Award (1989). He was in the inaugural recipient of Washington University's Dennis Dailey Distinguished Sexual Health Educator Award, named in his honor.

Dennis Dailey married Judy Brown, with whom he had two daughters, Lisa and Amy. He passed away on January 3, 2023.

[Information retrieved from University Archives morgue file and Warren-McElwain obituary.]