Jerald "Jerry" Allen Daniels

Jerry was born in Lindsborg, Kansas on October 11, 1947 to Gerald and Marguerite (Bahret) Daniels. He attended Jamestown High School in Jamestown, NY and graduated from Bethany College in Lindsborg. He further attended graduate school at Stetson University in DeLand, FL and seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, IL.

The son of a Lutheran pastor, Jerry demonstrated that faith produces good works. He spent his early professional years operating group homes for youth in crisis, at one point weathering fierce neighborhood opposition in Boca Raton, FL. But he was dedicated to serving those in need, and he continued his work with troubled youth in various cities in Florida including Daytona Beach, Glenwood, Holly Hill, and New Smyrna.

Jerry eventually moved to Texas in 1976 to work for the Texas Youth Commission. He ended up serving the State of Texas for decades. He worked for TYC, the State Aircraft Pooling Board, the Texas Barber Board, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, finally retiring in 2019.

Jerry loved coffee and menthol cigarettes, fireball candies and popcorn balls, and cookies from his mom. He was always reading a book but he never quite figured out a Kindle. This caused his house to be filled with books, much to his wife’s consternation (free books available!). He loved teasing his sister Karen and having ridiculous contests with his brother David. Every year he looked forward to the Daniels family reunion in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was a cutthroat at putt-putt golf but he was a gracious loser when he bought everyone ice cream afterwards (haha now it’s recorded forever Daddy).

He absolutely adored his grandkids and tolerated his children. Just kidding. He liked his kids too and was always up for taking them out to eat. He gave his kids a superior musical education, introducing them to everything from Simon & Garfunkel to Stevie Wonder. One time Jerry “caught” an alligator with raw chicken on a string. There is photographic evidence. He loved to take “shortcuts” that ended up taking what felt like half the day. Jerry was once asked to leave a small town for being a longhair. He could be described at various times in his life as a hippie, a brother, a roughneck, Daddy, a House Parent, an auditor, a son, a Chief Financial Officer, and his favorite role: Papa. Never hesitating to lend a helping hand, you could find Jerry building homes with Habitat for Humanity, visiting prisoners, participating in AIDS Walk Austin, or feeding the homeless. He was always a frugal man but he was generous with his time, his friendship, and his love.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Marge and Gerald Daniels, his sister Christine, and his sister Karen Daugherty. He is survived by his devoted wife Irma “Chickie” Mendoza. Irma and Jerry were together for 20 years and blended their families when they married. Children include: Boone Blocker; Amanda, Chris and Cassie Daniels; Alan (1995-2023) and Eliamar Ramirez. But the favorites were the grandkids: Colt Vito, son of Amanda and Michael Vito; Ava Ramirez, daughter of Alan and Jill Ramirez, and Sebastian Gutierrez, son of Cassie and Christian Gutierrez. Jerry is also survived by his brother David Daniels and his wife, Jennifer. He was an uncle to Carly Edmunds Daniels and Andrew (1975-2021) and Hannah Daniels; great-uncle to Salem Daniels, Sarah Sakal, and Erin Gorog. Jerry was an uncle to Karen’s daughter Kristin Baggett and her husband Steve; great-uncle to their children Jordan and Chelsea Baggett; and great-great uncle to Chelsea’s children Isaiah, Jayden, Leigha, Alauna, and Kaylee. He was also an uncle to Karen’s son Michael and his wife Jennifer; great uncle to their children Joshua, Jillian, and Preston.

A celebration of Jerry’s life followed by the interment of ashes will be on Wednesday, March 12th at 10am at Cook Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 14501 N. IH-35, Pflugerville, Texas. Refreshments to follow at Casa Chapala, 9041 Research Blvd. Suite 100, Austin, Texas.

Jerry/Daddy/Papa will be dearly missed by those he left behind. Memorial donations may be made to: Bread for the World, Doctors Without Borders, Habitat for Humanity, or the Salvation Army.