Donald Melvin McDaniels
1939-2013
Donald Melvin McDaniels age 74, from The Village, OK, died on 9-22-2013, from liver cancer. He was born in South Dayton, NY to Doris Helen Milks and Charles Melvin McDaniels. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Theresa Jean (Owen) McDaniels and 6 children: Donald P. McDaniels of Maine, Darin McDaniels of New Hampshire, Andrew McDaniels of Luther, OK, Melodianne Wood of Houston, TX, Eric McDaniels of The Village, OK and Kathleen Dowell of Bethany, OK and 15 grandchildren.
Donald received 2 degrees from South OKC Junior College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and 1 degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. He enlisted in the Coast Guard after graduating High School in South Dayton, NY and retired from service after 23 years as a Chief Warrant Officer 2.
He raised two of his six children in Alaska and New Hampshire and 4 in Edmond, OK. His hobbies included education, reading a great western or thriller, working with guns, leather and crafting with wood. He loved to play softball in his early years and to watch in later years.
He dedicated his life to the Homeless Outreach Program and the Sooner Stand Down. Donald will be remembered by his amazing wit and sense of humor. He appreciated the finer things in life and cherished the simple things.
Services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, September 30, 2013 at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Ft. Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, OK.
Farewell My Friends
Farewell My Friends
It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life, I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I’ll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care, and the heavy with sleep ever moist eyes, the smile in spite of a lump in the throat and the strings pulling at the heart and soul,
The strong arms that held me up when my own strength let me down, each morsel that I was fed with was full of love.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends, friends who stood by me, even when the time raced me by.
Farewell farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears, for I need them not, all I need is your smile, If you feel sad, do think of me, for that’s what I’ll like, when you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then…… you never die.
Gitanjali Ghei
My deepest condolences to the McDaniels family.
I was Don’s Supervisor at OESC. He was an excellent Veteran’s Representative and his work with the homlesss veterans was to be admired. He was a very good man and I cared deeply for him and appreciated him as a member of my staff. I will miss him.
I have known Don since 1990 and found him to be one of the most honorable, loyal, intelligent and kind persons I have ever known. We worked together for several years both as colleagues and later when I became his manager. No matter what the situation, Don was always ready to help any veteran, employer or fellow staff. Don was my friend and I will greatly miss him.
I’m sorry for your loss. He was a very kind, honorable and very knowledgable man. He was a friend to many and helped so many veterans with whatever they needed. He will be greatly missed and he was dearly loved by all who knew him. I pray that God will comfort you during your time of loss and comfort you as only He can.
Don’s generosity went far beyond the norm. He was generous with his time and with his heart, always putting others first. Through his many health issues over the years, he carried on and never complained, refusing to worry over them. He could find humor in almost any situation and had a laugh that compelled others to laugh with him. He lived life on his own terms and faced his passing the same way, with courage and confidence. I considered him to be one of my best friends and will miss him greatly.
I used to work with Don at the State Employment Office. Don was a great man. Anytime that I needed any help or needed a question answered, he was always there. I loved to hear him laugh and tell his stories that he told. He loved people and Veterans. He will be greatly missed. I have not seen Don in quite a while, but will always remember him for the great and kind person that he was.
My prayers are with Don’s family. Don was a great mentor to me while I worked for him at the VA hospital. He provided great life lessons, humor, and sense of understanding. I know he is in a better place having philosophical discussions and smoking a corn cobb pipe, smiling down on all of us.
It was a true privilege to know Don, and to consider him a dear friend. He was truly a great person, and possessed a great intellect. I was astounded at his broad knowledge of so many things. I will truly miss his deep sense of purpose, humanity, tremendous sense of humor, and friendship.
His memory will live for many years to come.
Don was the most committed person to homeless veterans I’ve ever met. He would go on the monthly VA interdisciplinary outreach team (which left the VAMC at 0630) despite the weather until his health intervened. It was an honor to know him and an inspiration to witness his dedication.
Why wasn’t his sister mentioned or contacted ????????????
Exactly, there was other family members that loved him even though they didn’t live in Oklahoma. We just found out today NOVEMBER 20 and he passed away in September. I’m sorry for your loss, but it was our loss too! RIP Uncle Don!!
I just read of this… Searching for his name on the internet. I knew him during my Coast Guard Reservist days back in the 70s.. I was a reservist at the Miami Beach Chapter.. Meeting him up in VA for my initial Coast Guard training. He taught me how to shoot. He became my great and wonderful friend; one of the greatest in my life.