Orlando Keith Mcdaniel

Orlando Keith McDaniel was the first child of Lynn Eliot and Lee Ivory Bonner McDaniel, born December 1, 1960, in Shreveport, LA, but soon relocated to Lake Charles, LA. He departed this life on Saturday, March 28, 2020.

Growing up in Lake Charles, Orlando was highly influenced by his father and mother, who were educators and community activists. During his early years, he was baptized at New Sunlight Baptist Church and engaged in various church activities. He also spent time in his early years participating in school and Boy Scouts activities. His parents instilled in him the importance of family, education, community, and responsibility at a young age. While education came first, he was involved in sports,

which included football, basketball, and track, and soon became a star student-athlete. He achieved many athletic records through sports and to this day, some of his high school track records are still in the history books.

He attended Lake Charles High School, graduating in 1978, and then went on to attend Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was both a football and track student-athlete. During this time, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. initiated in the Theta Kappa Chapter.

Upon leaving LSU, he played for two years in the National Football League (NFL). Orlando served his country by joining the United States Air Force.

His loving daughter, Dionne Monique McDaniel, came into his life in 1983 and introduced him to fatherhood.

In 1990, he met his future wife, Mariva Bernard, whom he married on November 26, 1993, and they remained married for 26 wonderful years. Together they traveled, experienced New Orleans culture, watched documentaries, and cooked together sharing many holiday meals. From this union, their one and only daughter, Alexis Simone McDaniel was born.

Orlando was a proud and loving father to Dionne and Alexis and experienced even more joy when he became a grandfather to Lee Alexander Bradshaw. Together they loved cooking, watching old movies, listening to family stories, and building family memories.

Orlando enjoyed watching old movies, classic westerns, and history documentaries. He also loved cooking and would cook and eat at all times of the day and night. Many people have enjoyed his gumbo, fried turkeys, barbeque, and other creative dishes.

Committed to giving back and following his passion for track and field, Orlando established the North Texas Cheetahs Youth Track Club (NTC) in 2003. NTC has made an impact on a local and national scale, providing track and field instruction, training, and encouragement to youth girls while focusing on academic standards. Approximately 98% of all NTC student-athletes have received college scholarships, and to date, three former athletes have participated on the US Olympic team.

Orlando was preceded in death by his father Lynn Eliot McDaniel and his brother Fredrick McDaniel. At the time of his death, his mother, Lee Ivory Bonner McDaniel was still alive, but transitioned in December 2020, to be with the Lord and her loved ones.

Orlando leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Mariva Bernard McDaniel; daughters, Dionne (Mark) Stafford and Alexis McDaniel; Grandsons: Lee Alexander Bradshaw and Saint Christian O Stafford; brother Gerald (Dawn) McDaniel and their children Sydney and Lynsey; Uncle Fred Bonner; father and mother-in-law John and Rose Bernard Sr.; in-laws Tonya (Darryl) Richardson, Komiko Wright, John Bernard Jr., and Demetra Bernard; nephews Brandon Wright and Nicholas Bernard; nieces Jalan Richardson, and Sydney Bernard and a host of cousins, great-niece, great-nephew, and dear friends.

A Private Memorial Service was held March 11, 2022.