Gerald Marlin McDaniel

It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Gerald M. McDaniel. Gerald passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Thursday, 16 November 2023 at the age of 92. Friends and family are encouraged to share their memories and experiences of Gerald on this memorial page and with the family.

Dignified. That is how one of Gerald’s caregivers described his final hours of wakefulness. True to his background as a senior non-commissioned officer (Sergeant Major) in the United States Army, he did not complain and faced the end head-on. Gerald came from small beginnings on a farm in rural Kentucky. He joined the United States Army to help support his family. He progressed from firefighter to infantryman to intelligence and served in two wars: Korea and Vietnam. Considered by all to be a leader in the Rowan County Community, Gerald was instrumental in getting the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to build a Community-Based Outpatient Center in Rowan County to help support the Nation’s veterans who chose to live in and around the area. For as long as he was able, he was a constant presence at the Center, providing crucial guidance to his fellow veterans. At home, he was always one to bend his children and grandchildren’s ears to provide advice or guidance for their personal and professional lives. He was an early riser, often already having a few cups of Folgers before reveille. A voracious reader, he could talk your ears off on subjects ranging from microeconomics in Middle America to politics in East Asia. You would always leave a conversation with Gerald wiser then when you entered. He will be forever loved and forever missed.

He was predeceased by: his wife Bonnie R. (McKenzie) McDaniel, his parents William Jesse McDaniel and Flossie Carter McDaniel. One brother, Hezia Allen McDaniel.

He is survived by: his children Rebecca (Mark) Garcia of Wilder, KY, Bruce McDaniel of Wilder, KY, and Sheila (David) Barber of Clearfield, KY; his grandchildren, CPT Andrew (1LT Adrienne) Garcia currently serving in the United States Army at Wheeler Army Airfield, HI, Dr. Alexandra N. Garcia, PT, DPT, of Wilder, KY, Taylor L. Barber, BS in Computer Engineering of Clearfield, KY, 1LT Annie E. Garcia currently serving in the United States Army at Camp Zama, Japan, and Jacob B.H. Barber, BS in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering of Wilder, KY; and one sister, Joyce Kissick of Frankfort, Kentucky.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.” – General George S. Patton.

Burial with full military honors by the United States Army will follow in the Crix Cemetery.

Visitation at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday.

Masonic services by the Phelps Masonic Lodge Number 482 will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.

Contributions are suggested to the Army Emergency Relief Fund or Wounded Warriors.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home, 808 Old Flemingsburg Road, Morehead, Kentucky  40351 is caring for all arrangements for Mr. Gerald Marlin McDaniel.