Garnet Craig Mcdaniel, Sr.

Garnet Craig McDaniel, 90, of Jonesboro, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was lovingly called Dad, Granddad, “G” and G-Mac and was born January 4, 1931 to Arthur and Carlene McDaniel in Paragould, AR. The youngest son of a hard working farming family, he was brought up with humble roots and was even known to ride his horse to school at Greene County. He was in the first graduating class of Greene County Tech High School in 1948. He attended college at the Arkansas State Teachers College (UCA) in Conway, but left early to join the United States Navy. He served from 1951-1955 in submarine service stationed in San Diego. When he returned, he finished his degree closer to home at Arkansas State, earning a degree in Agricultural Business on the G.I. Bill. It was during this time that he met his beloved wife, Jane. They were married on August 31, 1956. They loved to dance together - a skill that Garnet learned in the Navy and practiced the rest of his life. They built a family together that has grown into 4 kids and their spouses, 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The family was and remains active members of the Southwest Church of Christ where he served as a deacon for many years.

Garnet’s career was with the Farmer’s Home Administration where he served as District Director. As he put it, “I gave loans to help the farmers who were too poor to go anywhere else.” He retired in 1988, leaving time for his true passions. Garnet enjoyed playing golf, duck hunting with his sons, grandsons and granddaughters, watching Cardinal baseball and Razorback and Red Wolf basketball and football. He loved his family dearly and always made sure that anyone who wanted to play golf got to have their own set of clubs. He was known as a short-game master, even though he never truly found the “perfect club.” He remained active and independent his entire life and thankfully, passed peacefully and quickly on January 14, 2021.

Garnet was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Carlene, and siblings LaRue McDaniel Stallcup and Arthur (Gaines) McDaniel Jr. Survivors include his wife of 64 years Jane , son Garnet Craig Jr. and wife Tracey, son Grant and wife Jacque, daughter Jane Marie (Woodruff) and husband Lee and son Clay and wife Lee Ann of Jonesboro; eight grandchildren, Jenna McDaniel, Jace (Alivia) McDaniel, Jackson (Meredith) McDaniel, Will (Caitlin) Woodruff, Jacob McDaniel, Weston (Peyton) Woodruff, Stephanie (Brenden) Camp and Katy McDaniel; seven great grandchildren Jay McDaniel, Paisley McDaniel, Jonathan McDaniel, Carter Camp, Landon McDaniel, Jamie Woodruff and Owen Woodruff; nieces and nephews, Alice Davidson, Janis Hunt, James Stallcup, John Stallcup, Marcia Biggs, Nona Jo McDaniel and John McDaniel.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 18, 2021, in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Jimmy Adcox officiating. A private family committal service will follow. There will be no visitation. At the funeral home, Arkansas Health Department Covid-19 guidelines will be in effect which include the wearing of face masks or coverings and social distancing.

A delayed video of the funeral service will be uploaded to www.emersonfuneralhome.com website on Monday evening.

Pallbearers include Jace McDaniel, Jackson McDaniel, Will Woodruff, Jacob McDaniel, Brenden Camp and Weston Woodruff. Honorary pallbearers are Lelan Newberry, Theodore Eldridge, Sr. and Charles Borowski.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Southwest Church of Christ, 1601 James Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401 or Children’s Homes Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould 72450.