Ronald Eugene McDaniels

Ronald Eugene McDaniels, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, while in hospice care at Carolina Caring. He was born in Elyria, Ohio in 1934 to the late Clifford McDaniels and Delaurice Tate McDaniels. He was preceded in death by his wife Agnes McDaniels, his brother Dennis and his nephew Mark. He is survived by his daughter Catherine Breen and husband John, his wife’s daughter Sandi DiSilvestre-Russell, two grandchildren, one great granddaughter, many cousins and nieces.

A visitation service will be held on April 29,2025 from 5-7pm, at Drum Funeral Home at 940 29th Ave. NE, Hickory NC 28601 828-267-5740 for more information. Ron and Agnes will be interred ultimately next to Ron’s brother Dennis, and Nephew Mark, at the Cathedral Gardens Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Cemetery in Baltimore, MD.

Condolences may be sent to the attention of the McDaniels Family found on www.drumfh-hickory.com The Drum Funeral is honored to be serving the needs of the McDaniels Family.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to:

The St. Stephens Lion’ Club contact via Email: [email protected]

The Salvation Army: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/hickory

Carolina Caring Hospice House : https://www.carolinacaring.org/give

The Life of Ron McDaniels:

Ron grew up in the Elyria Ohio area, attending school and participating in track and tennis sports. He also was a talented member of the drum corp. After graduating from Elyria High School, Ron entered the Navy Reserves during the peacetime era of 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1957 after serving 2 years active duty. He was a Naval radio operator and served on the USS Picket that patrolled the waters along the western coast of the USA. After an honorable discharge, Ron’s gift of gab made him an excellent salesman for H.J Heinz company and ultimately Spencer Manufacturing where he eventually retired in Hickory North Carolina.

The love of Ron’s life, Agnes, who he married on December 16th, 1977 after a 17-year courtship. The wedding was held in Elyria and featured Agnes’s daughter Sandi who sang to them. The couple settled in a new home in Elyria and enjoyed many great times with family and friends in the area. They were known for their fabulous dancing ability and loved a good party. Spencer Manufacturing moved the couple to Hickory North Carolina in 1990, where they lived out the balance of their lives making new friends and many stories to match.

Ron was well known in the Hickory Woods community and was hailed as the unofficial mayor of Hickory Woods. He was a passionate golfer and a lover of animals. His final pet was Sammy, a cat that was a stray he adopted. Sammy was his comfort companion after the loss of his wife Agnes and was there bedside with him during his final days.

Ron learned, just shy of his 85 birthday that he had a daughter prior to meeting Agnes. He welcomed the new chapter of his life and became very close with the family of his daughter Cathy Breen. From that relationship Ron has been able to meet his biological grandchildren Jay Breen (Karissa) and Amanda Allaire (Patrick)and great granddaughter Everly. This also gave him the support he needed during the time when both he and Agnes needed it most. Cathy and her husband John, who live in Florida were able to visit Ron quite often over those past five years, making many memories and embracing the friends and family of Ron and Agnes.

Ron lived life to the fullest enjoying traveling and meeting new people. He loved to participate in trivia nights. Every holiday he volunteered as a Salvation Army bell ringer, fundraising to help feed the homeless, and serving at the Lions Club booth at the fairgrounds and he also loved packing bags for school kids for the Catawba county backpacking program.

Ron will be greatly missed by many. In his memoirs he stated that “It is my wish that anyone reading these words realizes that life is full of challenges. Live it to the fullest. You will fall sometimes. Get back up and strive some more. Be honest in your dealings, be true to your instincts. Do nothing to soil your reputation.” I think of a note I found from my father: “I thank whatever power may be for my unconquerable soul.”