JD Daniel

Mark Twain said “Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never work a day in your life. By that definition, J. DeMoye “JD” Daniel never worked a day in his life. Born in Bivins, Cass County, Texas on May 5, 1936, JD passed from this life on November 24, 2023. Two children, Jay DeMoye Daniel and Susan Lynn Daniel, predeceased him, as did his parents, J.K. and Lucille Parker Daniel. Children Dale DeMoye Daniel and wife Rebecca, Cindy Daniel Furr and husband Mike, Tim Daniel, and Sherry Daniel survive their father. Grandchildren Virginia Robertson, Dale DeMoye Daniel Jr., Cristin & Heath Crofford, Doug & Kodi Burdette, Mandy Daniel, Holly Daniel, Lensi Daniel, Kayle Nichols, Maddie Dayberry, and 15 great-grandchildren round out the family that called him PawPaw. Gwen Daniel Goodpasture and her husband, Tommy, along with niece Shanie and nephew Eddie loved him as their favorite brother and uncle. JD started work at age 9, throwing daily newspapers for the Odessa American, going door-to-door collecting payments from the 350 homes on his route every Saturday morning. He partnered with his father at age 14, owning and managing rental properties. At age 18, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, then transferred to the United States Air Force. At discharge, he was employed by Delta Airlines where he finished #1 in his training class. Simultaneous to his job at Delta, he was an active partner in a 350-acre Angus cattle operation. Their ranch earned honors from the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association as well as awards for soil and water conservation. JD was a pilot’s pilot and took to aircraft with a passion that was unrivaled. He began flying and then private instructing while in the Air Force, holding a variety of ratings in his aviation career. At his retirement from Delta Airlines, after 32 years, he had held every pilot’s position within the company. He continued his career for an additional 25 years for BCM Corporation, piloting their Boeing 737 all around the world. When asked when he thought he might hang up his wings, he pointed out “I’m the only pilot that knows where to get a good cheeseburger in Kazakhstan.” In addition to his paying gigs, JD owned and piloted several private aircraft, including a World War II era Boeing Stearman and his beloved Vietnam-era Beechcraft T-34 Mentor. His aircraft collection took him to air shows all over the country, performing aerobatics and combat maneuvers with a troupe of colorful characters, even performing in the world-famous Oshkosh, Wisconsin EAA AirVenture. There were many awards, trophies, and accolades but the most prestigious was the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizing over 50 years of aircraft safety. But wait! There’s more. JD was an avid outdoorsman – bird hunting, walking, running, biking, and competing in skeet shooting, boxing, baseball, and tennis. His favorite destination, the Hawaiian island O’ahu, afforded breathtaking views while he hiked the trails to the top of Diamond Head. JD’s beloved family and countless friends and colleagues take comfort that missing him will be replaced by knowing he lived his best life to the fullest and without regret – bucket lists were checked off and diems were carped! Fly high JetDog! ***Dates and Times for Service are Pending and will be Posted at a later date. ***

JD Daniel

May 5, 1936 - November 24, 2023