Dolan Kenneth McDaniel

Dolan was born on June 9, 1935 in Clarksville, Arkansas as the firstborn of Lowell W. “Buck” McDaniel and Dana “Kootz” Kinney McDaniel.

Dolan grew up in the town of Norton, Kansas where he graduated from Norton High School in 1953. He attended Kansas State University (KSU) on a track scholarship and became Wildcat track team captain in 1956/57. He was also a member of Sigma Gamma Epsilon scholastic and Sigma Chi social fraternities. Dolan graduated with a BS in Geology in 1957. While attending KSU, Dolan courted Pat Craven of Kansas City, Missouri. The two college sweethearts eloped and were married on January 2, 1957 in Olathe, KS. Dolan often remarked that marrying Pat was the smartest decision he ever made!

Upon graduation from KSU, Dolan began his career with Geophysical Services Inc. (GSI). GSI was the founding company of Texas Instruments (TI) but eventually became a subsidiary. His first assignment was in Marlow, Oklahoma on a seismic dynamite crew at $425 per month. This was the beginning of a long journey that Dolan and Pat embarked upon across much of the western United States.

Early in this adventure, Pat and Dolan started their family with the arrival of Laurie in 1958 in Chickasha, OK and David in Dallas, TX in 1964. Dolan and Pat orchestrated 34 relocation moves which were expertly planned and executed by Pat since Dolan was typically at his new location. In 1970 Dolan was promoted to Regional Latin American Manager which meant an exotic move to Bogota, Colombia. In 1972 Dolan returned to GSI headquarters in Dallas and was soon promoted to GSI President (VP of TI). One of his notable accomplishments as GSI President was the negotiation of energy exploration services in China during the early 1980s. Dolan held Emeritus membership status with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and was Chairman of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors.

Upon returning to Dallas, Dolan and Pat settled in the Canyon Creek neighborhood of Richardson, TX where they made many wonderful friendships. They've remained in the North Dallas area since 1972. After Dolan's retirement from GSI in 1989, he spent more time pursuing a variety of interests including sailing, golfing, surveying, recording (photography/videography/genealogy etc…) and other techno-centric pursuits. He also assisted Pat with various administrative and technical skills in support of her volunteer work. A car ride with Dolan involved ample planning, navigation and the latest technology. His multi-tasking skills were often displayed behind the wheel to the dismay of his passengers. During this period, Dolan and Pat continued their global travels to many places they had not yet seen with GSI.

Dolan exemplified the midwestern values of hard work, honesty, humility, humor, and good-old common sense. His stubbornness and follow-through served him well in action and deed. He considered the relationships he cultivated his greatest and most cherished accomplishment. Dolan was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Pat Craven McDaniel, daughter Laurie McDaniel Holgate and husband Brian Edward Holgate, son David Kenneth McDaniel and wife Julianne Wilson McDaniel; grandchildren Neal Edward Holgate, Gail Holgate Priest and husband Jerrell “Bo” Robert Priest, Kenneth Jeffery McDaniel and Melissa Marie McDaniel. Dolan is also survived by a sister Saundra McDaniel Smiley, 2 nieces and a nephew.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday March 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church of Richardson, 503 N Central Expressway, Richardson, TX 75080. In lieu of flowers, you may make a charitable donation in Dolan’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano, Texas has charge of arrangements.