Obit.Cherokee County,OK MCDANIEL, Fred M. ================================================================================ USGenWeb NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ====================================================== Submitted & Transcribed by: Shelley Lynch on 16Oct2006 McDANIEL -- Fred M., was born to Frederick McDaniel and Roseanne Harnage McDaniel on December 13, 1909, in Bartlesville, OK. Fred moved with his family to Tahlequah at a young age, where he attended local schools and graduated from NETC in Tahlequah. He went on to the University of Oklahoma, where he received his degree in Petroleum Geology, in 1938. He worked in the oil and gas industry his entire career, beginning with Cities Service and retiring after many years with Sunray - DX Oil Company. His career moved the family every two years around the Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas area. On March 4, 1939, he married, Maxine Musrush in Oklahoma City and to this union was born 2 daughters, Suzanne (Sue) Lunsford of Ponca City, OK and Toni Buck of Evergreen, CO. Mrs. McDaniel died on February 2, 1997. It was after Mrs. McDaniel's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in 1987, that Fred began his active involvement with the Alzheimer's Association, by researching and public speaking on the "Role of the Caregiver", and working tirelessly in the offices. In 1988, he was the recipient of a Blue Cross - Blue Shield "Ageless Heroes" award. Also in 1988, he decided to return to college and in 1992 at the age of 83, was awarded his Master's of Education in Gerontology from Central State University. In 1993, he was given the Alzheimer's Association's "Angel Award" and today the Fred McDaniel Award is given annually by the association to an individual exhibiting his dedication and commitment. Until very recent, ill health forced him to curtail his activities, he continued to be closely involved in and a strong advocate for the Alzheimer's Association and its goals. Fred was a life long Methodist and long time member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher for over 30 years. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma social fraternity at O.U. and a 32nd Degree Mason, and a Shriner. Fred was particularly proud of his Cherokee heritage and passed this on to his family. All of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have their CDIB cards. His mother was a graduate of the Cherokee Female Seminary in Tahlequah. His father served four consecutive terms as Mayor of Bartlesville and was selected as a member of the three person commission (with E.L. Cookson and W.W. Hastings) that wound up affairs of the Cherokee Nation as one of the preparatory steps of Oklahoma statehood. Fred followed in his father's footsteps, keeping abreast of Cherokee Nation government and attending Cherokee National Holiday, and the annual Cherokee Seminaries Association Annual Homecoming. He will be remembered as an avid learner, believing and proving that no matter how old you are, you should not stop learning. He had a keen wit and sharp sense of humor, coupled with a strong faith and love of family, to whom his final written instructions were "love one another". His family and friends are grateful for the 96 wonderful years he gave the world and for the re-uniting of Fred and Maxine in heaven. Because of Fred's love of life, the family requests that celebrants avoid somber colors, but display their joy in living with colorful apparel. Fred is preceded in death by his parents, Rosanne Harnage McDaniel and Fred McDaniel; wife, Maxine Musrush McDaniel; aunts, Ruth Harnage Reese and Jeanette Harnage Thompson. Fred is survived by: daughters, Suzan Lunsford (Mrs. Ray) of Ponca City, OK and Toni Buck of Evergreen, CO; grandchildren, Stacy Pike of Arkansas City, KS, Melissa (Mrs. Richard) Hollister of Arkansas City, KS, Michelle (Mrs. Luke) Franey of Arlington, VA, and Michael Buck of Oklahoma City, OK; great-grandchildren, Courtney Pike, Brittany Pike, Jeremy Pike, Cody Hollister, Emily Hollister, Conner Franey, and Katy Franey. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Oklahoma City or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. A Celebration of Fred's life will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 28, 2006, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, with interment following at Rose Hill Mausoleum. Smith & Kernke, 14624 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, (405) 302-0021. Published in the Tulsa World on 9/27/2006.