Obituary of Claude Mac Daniels

Claude Mac Daniels passed away June 24, 2018.  He was born in Brinkley, Arkansas on April 16, 1931, the son of Claude and Delores (nee McKnight) Daniels.  He grew up in Georgetown, South Carolina and graduated from the Winyah High School class of 1949.  He graduated from Furman University in 1953 where he played football, was president of his freshman class, member of the student council, editor of school paper, and president of the Delta Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. 

In 1953, he was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a LtCol after serving for 22 years.  He was a veteran of both the Korean and Viet Nam Wars and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal with Combat V for Valor, the Legion of Merit medal with Combat V for Valor, the Vietnamese Medal of Honor, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and numerous other campaign and service awards.  In 1966 the Commandant of the Marine Corps awarded him a letter of commendation for saving the life of a fellow Marine.  While in the Marine Corps, he earned a Master of Arts in Education from The George Washington University, a Master of Arts from Webster University in Public Administration, and a Masters from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.    

After retirement, he returned to Georgetown and served as the vice-president for development at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, the first director for the Georgetown extension of Horry-Georgetown Technical College, a small business owner of a furniture store, and as the director of training at International Paper. 

Always believing in giving back, he was heavily involved in his community.  He was a member of the Georgetown Breakfast Rotary Club where he served as president and assistant district governor.  He was previously awarded Rotarian of the year three times in 2002, 2003, and 2013.  On June 22, 2018, his Rotary brothers and sisters once again honored him with the award and have renamed it the Claude Mac Daniels Rotarian of the Year Award.  Mac also served more than 20 years on the Georgetown City Council, chairman of the Georgetown County Commission on Education, president of Georgetown County United Way campaign, chairman of area 6 for the South Carolina Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve, and charter member of the Georgetown Memorial Hospital Foundation Board.  He was a member of First Baptist Church for more than 50 years.  He loved his church where he actively and faithfully served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher. 

Mac was an avid reader, loved to bike and golf, and was a devoted pet lover.  He is predeceased by his first wife, Margaret (nee Grimball) of Greenville, his second wife Bernice Ferguson of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, and brother Gary Daniels of Greenville.  He is survived by his children Margaret “Dede” Padgett (Marion) of Georgetown, Claudia Tollison (Dan) of Anderson, Howard “Ike” Daniels of Georgetown, John Daniels (Michelle) of Woodbridge, Virginia; four grandchildren J. Patrick Dwyer, Jr. (Karen) of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Andrew Dwyer (Francesca) of Newton, Connecticut, Amanda Nelson (Danny) of Anderson, Scott Dwyer of Rock Hill; a step-grandson, Travis Tollison of 29 Palms, California; nine great-grandchildren Cole, Cam, and Kate Dwyer; Stryder, Elanor, Thomas, and Rosie Nelson; Alexys and Ashtyn Dwyer, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and other family members. 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 from 6pm-8pm at First Baptist Church of Georgetown.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 10:30am at First Baptist Church of Georgetown. Interment with military honors, directed by Graham Funeral Home, will immediately follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations to the First Baptist Mac Daniels Missions and Seminary Fund at 219 Cleland Street Georgetown, SC 29440 are suggested.