Samuel Daniel

Mr. Samuel Daniel was born on 21 May 1928 in Oxford, North Carolina, the tenth child and twin, the beloved son of the late Mr. John Otha Daniel and Mrs. Mary Jane Greenwood Daniel. He accepted Christ at a very young age.

He was educated in Greenwood School, a one-room schoolhouse built by his grandfather Mitchell Greenwood. Mr. Daniel graduated at the age of 15 from Mary Potter Presbyterian High School in Oxford, NC. He continued his education with business courses in Washington, DC., and the University of West Georgia. He furthered his education with the Department of Defense Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) affiliated colleges in management in Europe and the Republic of Panama.

He was joined in holy matrimony to the late Jean A. Russell. From that union, they had two precious daughters, Jeanette and Sandra. Sandra preceded him in death in March of 2021.

He married the late Dorothea Carolyn Cobb Bethea, August 27, 1961. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel spent 14 years and 3 months overseas in Europe while stationed in Germany and later the Republic of Panama. They traveled to over 17 different countries with their daughter Darlene.

Mr. Daniel was a logistics manager working for the Department of Defense AAFES. He was assigned to several military bases in the United States and overseas including combat zones in Vietnam.

Mr. Daniel’s assignment at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia was as Logistics Manager. He organized their first Christmas Santa Claus with the help of twin girls and their dad as Santa Claus.

March 1968, Mr. Daniel was transferred to Germany with the Dept. of Defense Headquarters AAFES where he was the 1st Negro civilian manager out of 4500 managers in Europe military assignment.

While at Giessen Army Depot, Germany, Mr. Daniel was tasked with drawing plans for several buildings and setting up conveyor systems. This project was so successful it was lauded in the book Great American War Fighters: Profiles in Service by Ben L. Walton, pp. 60-61. Saving “…millions of dollars through upgraded storage management, improved operating efficiencies, and greater economies of scale.”

His assignments to non-combat duties in Europe with his family also included a tour of duty to the Canal Zone of the Republic of Panama. After 36 years of service with the Dept. of Defense, AAFES, Mr. Daniel retired at Fort Gillem, Georgia in 1987.

During those years, Mr. Daniel was a member of the military chapel, New Life Presbyterian Church Prayer and Bible Reading member, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Officers Club, President of the PTA in Europe. He lectured students in the Panama Canal College in the Republic of Panama, Assisted in the implementation of the Panama Canal Zone Treaty with the United States and received a Superior Accomplishment Award. Also earned a Certificate of Merit from the Panama Canal Council for Outstanding Support to Scout-O-Rama, and was president of several bowling leagues. He enjoyed bicycling, cooking, and excelled at bowling. He was an avid reader and maintained an immaculate yard and colorful gardens honoring his Oxford farming roots.

He is survived by his daughters Darlene (William) Beals of Englewood, Colorado, and Jeanette Marlow of Spring Valley, New York, and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a great great-great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Donations Honoring Mr. Samuel Daniel’s memory may be sent to: Wounded Warrior Project.org

Thank you, Daniel and Beals Family.