George L. Daniels, Jr.

George Lacy Daniels, Jr, 92, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away peacefully with his family next to him Tuesday, July 5, 2011. He was the son of George L. Sr and Mary (Fatherly) Daniels, born in Norfolk, VA on September 12, 1918. His father was born in the Ashville, NC area while his grandfather, a master cabinet maker, was working on the Biltmore Estate in the late 1880s. Another of his relatives, Josephus Daniels, was the Secretary of the Navy under Woodrow Wilson (FDR was his Assistant). George's father died eight days after the Great Depression started in 1929. George graduated from Maury HS in Norfolk and, with his mother's permission, immediately enlisted in the Navy Reserve eventually becoming a 5" gun captain in 1940. During that same period he worked in the Design Division at the Norfolk Navy Yard and attended night classes at the VA Tech/William & Mary (now Old Dominion University) campus in Norfolk. In 1943 he took the test for Army OCS, was accepted, resigned from the Navy, enlisted in the Army, graduated and became an officer in the Army Air Corps. After WW II he transferred to a reserve unit and went back to work at the Norfolk Navy Yard. During the Korean War he was recalled and sent to Ellington AFB (now the Johnson Space Center in Houston) as an instructor. After the war, in 1953, he transferred to an Air Force reserve unit at Langley AFB (retired as a Captain in 1962) and went back to work in the Norfolk Navy Yard, was promoted to Navy HQs in Washington, DC in 1957 and eventually retired as a senior Naval Architect in 1974. George loved the sea and every ship that ever sailed upon it. Outside the office George stayed busy with his family. As a teenager he was in the Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Life. He never got scouting out of his blood. From 1957 until 1965 he was an active leader in Scouts. With his constant help many boys received help on ranks and merit badges. Richard, his youngest son, attained the rank of Eagle (plus 3 palms!) and George III, his eldest son, attained Life. George also worked as a Little League coach in the summers. Outside the family, but inside his community, he was extremely active. He became a Mason in 1946; a member of the Scottish Rite in 1947 (32nd degree); a Shriner in 1948 Khedive (Norfolk), Almas (Alexandria, VA) and Araba (Ft Myers); the US Power Squadron for almost 40 years (Commander of Peace River 88-89); the Nat'l Sojourners (President 91-92); Hero's of '76 (Commander of Ponce De Leon Chapter in 94); Military Officer's Assn to present; St Joseph's Hospital (now Peace River) Senior Advisory Council (Chairman from 95-'00); George (and Kathryn) delivered Meals-on-Wheels for 12 years; and The Navy League (President 89-90). George will be greatly missed by Kathryn (Sinclair), his wife of 67+ years; two sons, George L. III (Teresa) and Richard S. (Olivia); granddaughters Tracy J. and Michelle D.; grandsons Gary L. (Bekah), Geofffrey L., and Richards S. Jr.; and great grandson Brayden R. Daniels. George was very proud of his earthly accomplishments, quite often under very difficult circumstances, but not nearly as proud as he was of his true love Kathryn. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, September 12, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Shriner's Hospitals would be George's wish.