Eugene Edward Mcdaniel

Early in life Eugene enjoyed playing football where he grew up in Charles Town West Virginia, but found out that wasn’t going to get him far in life and decided at the age of 22 to move to California where he found a love for working with horses and never stopped. Eugene became a worker at the Santa Anita Race Track along with many other Race Tracks and didn’t look back. Eugene loved working with horses and enjoyed his friends who became like family to him for over 60 years. Eugene worked with many great horses just to name a few such as Pretense winner of the 1967 Santa Anita Handicap, Forli a champion from Argentina who he stated was the best horse he rubbed on and last but not least Ack Ack who was named Horse of the Year in 1971. Eugene has many stories during his journey as a Hotwalker for the Santa Anita Race Track and loved every day working there, he was proud of his work place and anytime he spoke of his work he would smile and light up.

Eugene also enjoyed spending time with his family, dancing, watching the Laker games and most of all watching good ol Sanford and Son. Eugene accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior last year. We rejoiced as a family for we knew should anything happen we would see him again.

Eugene’s wife Jessie Mae McDaniel, sister Doris Marie McDaniel and daughter Joan McDaniel preceded him in death. Eugene leaves to mourn three daughters Phyllis Anderson of Aurora Colorado, Denise Matthews(James Matthews) of Monrovia California, Jill Styles of Pasadena California, and two sons Kevin McDaniel of Duarte California and Larry McDaniel. He also leaves 6 grandchildren La Porsha Johnson, James Matthews, Jamorra Robinson, Miesha Barnes, Gary Styles, Miles Martin, 13 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and host of family and friends who will dearly miss him.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, thoughts, condolences and kind words during this difficult time. We know that Eugene (Snake) is in a better place and that brings peace to our hearts.