Howard Bruce McDaniel, a native Beaumonter, died October 28, 2010, of complications resulting from a chronic anemia, at Buckner Villas skilled nursing facility in Austin, Texas. He was 96 years old.
Howard was born November 1, 1913 in Beaumont. His parents, James Eli McDaniel and Rosanna Short McDaniel, raised four children- Margarette, James, Howard and Mary- in the old family home on Avenue B. Howard attended Beaumont public schools and graduated from Beaumont High School in 1929. Howard began working almost immediately after high school for the Magnolia Petroleum Company as an office boy, but soon moved into the cost and yield department where he worked as a respected accountant for forty-five years.
On May 14, 1939 he married Georgene Kirby, the love of his life. It was the best day of their lives. The McDaniel’s lived their entire married lives in Beaumont with the exception of a period during World War II when Howard served in the United States Navy and Georgene lived in Dallas with her family there.
The McDaniel’s enjoyed a wonderful marriage and a true partnership for fifty-nine years. They had two children, Howard Kirby McDaniel, born 1946, and Susan Annette McDaniel Lydic, born 1951. In addition, Howard is survived by his beloved son-in-law, David Lynn Lydic. Howard is also survived by grandchild, Stephen Patrick Lydic and his wife Elizabeth and grandchild, Joel David Lydic. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Jimmy and Joyce McDaniel of Nederland; Carol and Butch Landry of Beaumont; William M. and Lee Withers of Friendswood, Texas and their children Travis and Kathleen; Glenn Withers of Sour Lake; Walter Ray and Ruth Grimes of Vinton, Iowa; Carol and Stan Zahara of Cochran Alberta, Canada; Cathy and Perry Hensley of Farmersville, Texas; and Mr. And Mrs. Gary Minter of Sachse, Texas. He is also survived by many loyal and treasured friends.
Howard is remembered as a tolerant, compassionate and courageous man who took to heart his Christian faith in a practical and sincere way in everything he did. He and Georgene McDaniel were early members of Northwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Beaumont. He was a loving man with a great sense of humor.
The McDaniel’s were wonderful parents and homemakers. During the years of the 1950s and 1960s they worked together to provide the greatest gift anyone could give a child – a secure and loving home. The McDaniel home on Cherry Drive was always open to their children’s friends. Both Kirby and Susan attended Beaumont public schools and both graduated from French High School, Kirby in 1965 and Susan in 1969. Kirby and Susan each graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.
Howard and Georgene loved their participation in the spiritual and social life of Northwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Howard took special delight in teaching (learning) Sunday School at Northwood’s JOY Class and served as an elder for many years.
Howard retired from Mobil Oil Corporation in 1976 and the ensuing two decades were a period of enjoying their family and friends and, of course, their grandchildren. Georgene died on September 30, 1998 in Beaumont. Howard remained active and living in Beaumont until 2006 when he moved to live near his children in Austin. Now he has returned to Beaumont, a place he truly and dearly loved.
Funeral services will be held on his 97th birthday, Monday November 1st, All Saints Day, at 11:00 a.m. at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Street, Beaumont, followed by interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends for Howard B. McDaniel will be Sunday evening, October 31, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Broussard’s.
The family suggests those desiring, may make contributions in his memory to Northwood Christian Church, 5050 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77708 or the charity of their choice.
