Talmadge "Tom" Daniel Obituary (1936 - 2014)

Talmadge "Tom" Gordon Daniel, passed away on August 7, 2014, at the age of 78 in Family Hospice Care Center in Prescott, Arizona. Born July 14, 1936 in Blairsville, Georgia to Robert and Laura Daniel; Tom was the 12th of 12 children. He was raised on his parents' farm until the age of 12 when he left home to find his own way in life. At the age of 16, Tom returned home to help his mother on the farm. It was during that time that he gave his life over to the Lord Jesus Christ in a camp meeting where his mother, Laura, was praying for him. In May of 1953, Tom served 6 months as a firefighter for the California Division of Forestry in Hollister, California. Then on January 7, 1954, Tom enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base to begin with. He re-enlisted in January 1958 and served from June 4, 1968 to June 2, 1969 in Nha Trang Vietnam as a Computer Operations Supervisor. He received an award for his superior managerial and leadership abilities at Newark Air Force Station in Ohio in June 1974. Tom retired September 1, 1974 with the rank of Master Sergeant after having served his country for 20 years, 7 months and 24 days. He married Lela E. Owenby in February of 1955 and had two daughters; Cynthia Janean and Teresa Diane. His second marriage in 1991 was to Shirley Shaw and acquired 3 step children, Susan Lynn, Scott Christopher and Sarah Ruth. Between the two families he loved 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He owned and managed 4 rental properties in Phoenix Arizona until June 1997 when he moved down to the inner city as led by the Lord and started a homeless ministry called "Home on the Way". He and his wife Shirley served there until May 2011 when they retired to their home in Peeples Valley, Arizona. Tom loved singing in the choir at the Community Presbyterian Church and was available as a Stephen's Minister. He has one living sibling, Dorothy Byers, who still resides in Georgia. Services will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Paul Jones conducting and committal of the ashes with military honors will follow at the Genung Cemetery at 2 pm in Peeples Valley. A reception will follow at the church 16455 Table Top Way in Yarnell. All are welcome.