COLUMBIA - A funeral service for Lt. Col. Jerald “Jerry” Edward Daniels Sr. (U.S. Army, Ret.), 83, will be conducted at 12 noon Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Fort Jackson National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. prior to the service.
LTC Daniels died Sunday, October 11, 2026. Born in Columbia, he was the son of the late Jasper E. and Jessie Mae Daniels. LTC Daniels was married to the former Cynthia Rickie Hegler for over 57 years and they had two children, Jay Daniels Jr. and Dana James. He is survived by his son, Jay Daniels; daughter, Dana James (Rob); four grandchildren, Kit and Autumn Daniels and Lilly and Emma James; one great-granddaughter, Isabella; and a sister, Gloria Carothers and her husband, Woody. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Rickie.
He graduated from Columbia High School, received a BS degree from Newberry College, an MT Certification from Baptist Medical Center with an MT (ASCP) Registration. He also received a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University. LTC Daniels also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and after 24 years of military service, he retired from the Army in 1996. In 1999, he retired from Byrnes Medical Center after 32 years of service.
He served as State President of the S.C. Society of Medical Technology and was a member of its parent organization, American Society for Medical Technology. He was a member of both organizations for most of his career. LTC Daniels was a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America and also a member of the scholastic and business fraternity Sigma Iota Epsilon.
LTC Daniels loved the Lord and was a member of the First Baptist Church, Columbia. There he served as a deacon and usher. On occasion, he would comment that early on the Lord had to carry him sometimes to exhaustion.
LTC Daniels had many interests over his lifetime. He obtained a Black Belt in Karate and participated in tournaments, rode a motorcycle, was an avid runner, NRA Life Member, wood turner (member of Palmetto Wood Turners), obtained a Master’s level Water Aerobics certification and taught at several pools, including YMCA Northwest for almost eight years. Both he and his wife enjoyed traveling and did much of it.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Columbia, Helping Hands.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
