James Arthur McDaniel

Lieutenant Colonel James A. McDaniel, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, died surrounded by his family on Friday, December 8, 2017. He was born in Texas in 1945 and was the youngest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur T. and Ruby Lee McDaniel, a sister Mary Bess Moerbe, and a brother William T. McDaniel. A 1967 graduate of Texas A&M University, he was commissioned into the United States Army as a Field Artillery Officer. After airborne training he joined the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY just in time to deploy with the unit to Viet Nam where he would earn the Bronze Star. Over the course of his career he served in a variety of staff and command positions throughout the United States and in three foreign countries with the highlight being command of the 3/79th Field Artillery Battalion in Giessen, Germany from 1986-1988. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of distinguished service having been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Jumpmaster Badge. After his retirement from the service in 1989, Jim served as the Director of Administration for the National Catholic Education Association, in Washington D.C. for 19 years. For many years, Jim was the official family party planner, he loved grilling outdoors for groups large or small. Friends were always welcome. Jim could often be found visiting with neighbors while walking his furry best friend around the neighborhood. He was the beloved husband to Lea, his wife of 50 years; loving father to Meredith Millard (Dean) and Paige Ross (Jim); and devoted grandfather to Marissa, Rhianna, Sam, Matt, and CJ. Also, surviving him are a sister-in-law, Florene McDaniel; five nieces and nephews; a grand niece and two grand nephews. Friends and family can gather at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22315 on Saturday, 16 December 2017 from 1 PM to 2 PM for a memorial service. Private inurnment and an additional memorial service will occur at a later date in Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to The American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org), The American Lung Association (http://www.lung.org) or the Children’s Inn at NIH (https://childrensinn.org).

Tributes

James Arthur McDaniel

April 8, 1945 - December 8, 2017