Taeok Kim McDaniel

Taeok Kim McDaniel, age 91, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024 after a short battle with breast cancer. She was born in Taegu, Korea to Yung Ho Kim and Kyung Ai Hyun on February 11, 1933.

Taeok worked as a secretary for the United States Army while living in Korea. She met John Charles Albright while living in Korea. They married on July 28, 1959 and shortly after welcomed their daughter, Betty Lou Albright. Taeok and John moved to the United States in 1959 and lived in Somerset, Pennsylvania and worked for a garment factory. Eventually, the couple moved to New Jersey where Timothy and Daniel were both born. Timothy John Albright was born in 1965 in Wrightstown, New Jersey. Eleven months later, Daniel Robert Albright was born in 1966 in Wrightstown, New Jersey. In October of 1969 Taeok and John divorced.

On January 16, 1967, Taeok became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States of America. She was actively interested in politics, particularly of the Republican party. She was a huge advocate for legal immigration. Taeok also loved the Kansas City Chiefs, and would not miss a single game. Taeok had a great love for travel and traveled extensively with her family members.

Taeok later met and married Everett E. Stropes in 1972. In December of 1972, they welcomed their daughter, Rebecca Ann Stropes. Both Taeok and Everett worked for U.S. Steel in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. The pair later opened up an Exxon service station and franchised a 7/11 in Yardville, New Jersey before finally moving to Kansas in 1975. They bought a farm in Melvern, Kansas, which was Everett's dream. The family moved several times back and forth from Kansas and Pennsylvania. During that time, Everett would come back to Kansas with Rebecca in tow to take care of the farm. They had created friendships that have lasted throughout their lives. In December of 2005, Everett and Taeok divorced, but they remained best friends. Everett took incredible care of Taeok until his death in 2008.

In November of 2008, Taeok married Harold McDaniel, who she spent the rest of her life with. Taeok was very actively involved with her church; The Good News Kansas Church. Taeok remained incredibly active with her church and friends up until the month before her passing. She enjoyed cooking for the church, attending Bible studies and services as well as going on trips with the church. Taeok was actively involved in the upbringing of her grandchildren and had very close relationships with all of them. She was greatly loved by everyone who knew her, and will be missed very much.

Taeok was preceded by her parents, Yung and Kyung, her sister Tae Hyung Kim, her two husbands, John and Everett, and her granddaughter, Sarah Jean Klemovitch. She is survived by her husband, Harold Gene McDaniel, her daughters Betty and Rebecca, her sons Timothy and Daniel, and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for Taeok will be held on November 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at The Good News Kansas Church, 10816 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64134.