SMSgt Jimmy L. McDaniel

SMSgt (Ret) Jimmy L. McDaniel, 82, of Phenix City, Alabama died at his home on Friday, April 1, 2022 with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 4, 2022 in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, Alabama with Rev. Dr. Johnny Ellison officiating, Ted Talley and Greg Moore also speaking. A private interment with U. S. Air Force honors will follow in Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday, one hour prior to the service.
Jimmy McDaniel was born in Deland, Florida son of the late Joseph Jackson McDaniel and Grace Brewton McDaniel. After graduating from Claxton High School in Claxton, Georgia, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, before joining the U. S. Air Force. Jimmy retired from the Air Force after 21 years of dedicated service. He then attended the University of South Carolina, where he earned his bacherlor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. Thereafter, Jimmy continued to serve our country in the Civil Service as a Contracting Officer. Jimmy was an active member of Golden Acres Baptist Church where he was a Deacon for many years. He was a member of the Wilson Williams Masonic Lodge # 351 and the Alcazar Shrine. Jimmy and his wife Bette often transported children to the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina and occasionally to Cincinnati, Ohio and Tampa, Florida. He was a wood worker and artisan with wood often making intricate keepsakes for his family and friends. An avid outdoorsman, he loved spending time hunting and fishing. Jimmy was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His kindness and loving demeanor will be deeply missed.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leonard McDaniel, and grandson Joseph McDaniel.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Bette Hart McDaniel, Phenix City, AL; two children, Joe McDaniel (Liliana), Columbus, GA and Julie McDaniel Kostichka (Jeff) Prattville, AL; three grandchildren, Ben Kostichka (Sonette), St. Louis, MO, Katie Fagan (Keith), Prattville, AL and Mary Catherine McDaniel, Columbus, GA; three great-grandchildren, Lewis Fagan, Ellie Fagan both of Prattville, AL and Theo Kostichka, St. Louis, MO; and several other family members and friends.