Thomas G. Mcdaniel

Thomas G. McDaniel, 85, of Jonesboro, died Friday, September 2, 2011, at St. Bernards Medical Center.

Born in the Gilkerson community, Thomas’ mother died when he was very young and he was raised in the Herman community by his grandparents, Walter and Nora Watkins, and by his aunt Annie Watkins. Thomas served in the U.S. Army during W.W. II, and following his discharge lived the rest of his life in Jonesboro.

Thomas was an auto mechanic and operated his garage for several years. He retired as shop foreman for Ramson Construction where he worked over 20 years. Thomas was a charter member of the Jonesboro Boating Club which made many improvements on and around Craighead Forest Lake and Park. He enjoyed riding his four-wheeler, boating, water skiing, camping at Lake Norfork, fishing and deer hunting.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, James Waldo McDaniel and Edna Pauline Watkins McDaniel, 5 sisters: Jewel West, Opal Berry, Earl Suzore, Jimmie Fay Stewart and Ruth Sides, and 1 brother, Billy Ray McDaniel.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mildred Hopkins McDaniel, of the home, married January 11, 1947;

2 daughters and sons-in-law: Nancy and Harold Summers, and Carie and Rick Barker, all of Jonesboro;

4 grandchildren, Michael Summers and his wife Tiffany of Brookland, and Tiffany Barker, Ricky Dale Barker and Jody Barker, all of Jonesboro;

2 great grandchildren, Gaven Summers and Olevia Summers;

3 sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Hopkins and Mavis Holmes of Jonesboro and Jolita McDaniel of California;

1 nephew and 2 nieces who Thomas and Mildred help raise: Richard Gordon of Fayetteville, Carolyn Hopkins of Pine Bluff and Marilyn Naylor of Fort Worth, Texas;

A very special nephew and niece: Rick Hopkins of Brookland, and Vickie Hopkins George of Jonesboro; and a very special great niece, Heather Hopkins of Brookland and a very special great nephew, Casey George of Jonesboro; and several other nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Jimmy Adcox officiating. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Michael Summers, Richard Gambill, Danny Parsons, Bill Holmes, Rick Hopkins, and Ryan Mounce.

Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, 6-8, at Emerson Funeral Home.