Obituary of Harold Daniels

Harold E. Daniels, age 83, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2013, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, on August 29, 1929. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louie Green Daniels and Ruby Hill Daniels of El Dorado, AR. He was married to the late Billie Jean Daniels for almost 37 years and to the late Myra Barksdale Daniels for two years. Harold is survived by his sisters, Natalie Parham, Anna Morgan, and Yvonne Eudy--all of El Dorado, AR and his brother Charles Daniels, State Auditor of Arkansas, of Little Rock, AR. Survived by his daughters and their husbands, Maury and Gail Davis of Nashville, Tennessee, and David and Susan Hunter of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; he has four grandchildren: Gabrielle (Zak) Shumate of Nashville, Tennessee; Danielle (Kevin) Childers of Memphis, Tennessee; Galen (Talitha) Davis of Surprise (Phoenix), Arizona; and Dillon Davis of Goodlettsville (Nashville), Tennessee; and one great granddaughter, Saylor Davis of Surprise (Phoenix), Arizona. Two stepchildren and their families blessed his life: James and Brandi Barksdale of El Dorado, Arkansas, and Kristi Williams; and one brother-in-law, Garry (Brenda) Stratton, of El Dorado and a sister-in-law, Shelba (Lee) Kramer, of Waco, TX and their spouses. And a host of friends and family at First Assembly of God in El Dorado, AR and at Cornerstone Church in Nashville, TN held Harold dear to their hearts. For three years, he had resided in Hendersonville, TN at Park Place Retirement Center in assisted living where he was lovingly cared for by caregivers there, church family from Cornerstone Church who grew to love him greatly during his time in Tennessee, and his daughter Gail. A 1947 graduate of Parkers Chapel High School, Harold was employed throughout his lifetime primarily as a bookkeeper (El Dorado Pole & Piling) and as a tax preparer (The Tax Place in El Dorado, AR). He enjoyed deer and squirrel hunting, fishing, gardening and many other outdoor activities; but the main focus of his life was his love for His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his devotion to his church, First Assembly of God in El Dorado, AR, where he was an active member and had served for many years on the board and in various other capacities—as a Sunday school teacher & more. Harold studied the Bible daily and was known as a man of prayer and faith. Harold was respected for his incredible integrity and work ethic, his honesty and values, and also his wit--which shown through and barreled to the surface many times in spite of his disease. His kindness and generosity have been felt by all--whether it was taking folks to Little Rock to the doctor or handing young couples some diaper money, he was compelled to meet needs wherever he was. He loved his Lord, his family—he was very close to his brothers-in-law—and his friends. He was proud of his state and loved his country. Known as a polite gentleman, a friend and father, Harold Daniels completed his earthly journey with grace and dignity. Viewing will be at Young's Funeral Directors on Monday, May 27, 2013, from 4-9pm. A funeral service will be held at First Assembly of God in El Dorado on Tuesday, May 28, at 10 AM, officiated by Rev. Maury Davis (Cornerstone Church of Nashville), Rev. Galen Davis (Radiant Church/Surprise, AZ), Rev. Al Womack and Rev. Greg Tucker (both of First Assembly in El Dorado, AR). Pallbearers are Dillon Davis, Zak Shumate, Dr. Kevin Childers, Rev. Galen Davis, David Hunter, and Garry Stratton. Honorary pallbearers are friends Charles Boothe and Ronnie Van Schoubroeck, Stepson James Barksdale, Brothers-in-law John Beaird and Ferrell Beaird, Lee Kramer, and friend Bob Davis (father of Maury).