Harold Willis McDaniel

He was born on September 17, 1932, in Marion N.C. to Clyde Marvin and Georgia Willis McDaniel. They moved to St. Elmo when Harold was 4. Harold attended the St. Elmo Schools and graduated from Central High. In the fall of 1950, Harold entered the University of Chattanooga, and as a sophomore he renewed a friendship with an early schoolmate, Nancy Shelton.

Harold and Nancy married in 1953 and he graduated from the University with a B.S. in Economics and Finance in 1954. As an ROTC graduate he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with orders to spend two years on active duty. After that service was completed, Harold remained in the Reserve for 26 years and completed advanced education in his Branch—Field Artillery. He graduated from Command and General Staff School and the College of the Armed Forces. During the last three years of his military career, Harold taught Command and General Staff School, retiring in 1982 as Lt. Colonel.

During these years, Harold and Nancy were blessed with a daughter, three sons and eight grandchildren.

Harold’s greatest joys in life were being a Christian, a husband, father and grandfather. Raised in the Baptist faith, Harold has always been active in his church. He had been a member of Red Bank United Methodist Church since 1966, where he taught in the Sunday School, was Chairman of the Finance committee, and served other committees until his health began to fail.

Harold was employed by Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company as a Group Department underwriter, where he held a position in management. He retired from Provident in 1990, about a year after he was involved in a serious vehicle accident.

He was also involved with various organizations such as the Chattanooga Boys Choir, and was Fundraising Chairman for their annual pecan sale. He joined the Gideon’s International after retirement and spoke at many area churches about the importance of placing Bibles in the reach of those who are in need or have never heard about God’s saving grace.

Mr. McDaniel was preceded in death by his parents , brother-in-law Dr. Paul Shelton and his wife Jean, and niece Dr. Charlotte S. White.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Shelton McDaniel; his four children Frances McDaniel ( Randy) Parnell, Dean, Eddie and Greg ( Patti) McDaniel; grandchildren John Parnell, Jackie Parnell ( Kent) Crouch, Jenny Parnell, Luke, Zachary, Malorie, Paul and Jacob McDaniel; two special cousins Bill Wiseman and Barbara Ricketts of Pleasant Gardens, N.C.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 27,2015 from 4-7pm at Chattanooga Funeral Home-North Chapel and 11:30- 12:30 pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Red Bank United Methodist Church

Funeral service will be conducted at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at Red Bank United Methodist Church with Reverend Bruce Galyon and Reverend Harold Buck officiating.

Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Shaw-Murray Sunday School class and fellow Gideons. The family wants to thank Hearth and Avalon Hospices for the wonderful care and support they provided. Memorial contribution may be made to Red Bank United Methodist church or The Gideons International.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com