James David McDaniel

1951 - 2013

James David McDaniel obituary, 1951-2013, Cedar Park, TX

BORN

1951

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home

9700 Anderson Mill Road

Austin, Texas

James McDaniel Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 31, 2013.

James David McDaniel, 62, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at Seton Medical Center in Austin after a brief but courageous battle with illness.

James was born Sept. 24, 1951, in Dallas, to the late James and Inez McDaniel. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1969 and quickly completed a course in electronics at Draughon's Business College so he could marry high school sweetheart Janice Houston McDaniel on Aug. 22, 1970.

He spent more than 40 years as an HVAC systems engineer, at Johnson Controls in Houston and CSI and Trane in Austin. He had a lifelong passion for computers, computer programming and anything electronic.

James is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, two children, Jason McDaniel and Jamie McDaniel, two grandchildren, Jaxon McDaniel and Mila McDaniel, and his brother, Donald McDaniel.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills funeral home in Austin.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

October 28, 2014

Tracy Remillard

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with James from 1979-1982 at Johnson Controls in Houston. In the photos labeled "James and Jason," I see the old plaid couch and chair he sold to me and delivered with his old beige Chevy van. When I talked to him, he called me 'Mr. Remillard-son.' He trained me on the old JC-80 computer system and was a great teacher. He was a super guy and I'll miss him.

January 9, 2014

George Olson

Thank you James for a life of service. Thank you also to your family, as you helped people all over the world, even people you didn't know. God bless and may you rest in peace.

January 6, 2014

Connie Wood

I am so sorry for your loss and am greatly saddened we could not support you by coming to the memorial service. Tim and I have such great memories of our families growing up across the street from each other. Jason and Jamie seem like extended family to all of the Woods. We love you guys!

January 5, 2014

Jamie McDaniel

I miss you so much Dad. I was so lucky to have you in my life, I just wish I had gotten to have you around longer. I know I did everything I could have for you, but I still struggle with the guilt. Hopefully that will get easier with time, but I know some sadness will always be there. I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful older brother in my life, you raised him well. Words cannot express the level of gratitude I have for Uncle Don. Thanks for being such an amazing brother to him because now he's willing to support us however he can. I'll try to remember all of the awesome memories I have of you whenever I feel down. You're the best example of a man, and no one will ever forget that. Forever and always, your little girl.

January 4, 2014

Richard Kennard

I have great memories of James when I worked with him at JCI's Houston Branch (222 T.C. Jester). From others' entries I read here, I can look forward to renewing our relationship one day.
May God provide comfort and assurance to James' family and friends. We will miss him. As my mother-in-law was known to say, "won't they be glad to have him!"
Richard Kennard
Arlington, TX

January 4, 2014

matthias sweertvaegher

Dear James,

I'm really sorry to hear about this unfortunate turn of events. Your help on the opensuse forum was very much appreciated.
My thoughts are with you and your family. Rest in peace.

January 4, 2014

Donald McDaniel

I miss my brother so much. Thank all of you for your kind words. My brother wre very close. Like many of you I also learned from my brother. I knew I could always get help with my computer problems but even more that he would be my rock of support and love and I hope I was his. No words can adequately express how much I loved him. I will do my best to watch over his family. I am so moved again by all of the kind words. May he rest in peace.

January 3, 2014

My sincere condolences. I worked with James at CSI in Austin. He would take the time to answer any questions I might have had. Great man, great friend. May he look down on all of us and watch over us now. To one of the BEST!!!!

Becky Tow-Stone

January 3, 2014

Janice, We are so sorry to hear of James' death. He was a fine christian man,husband and father. We pray all your sweet memories will soon replace
your sorrow. God will take care of you, Jason and Jaime. We love you, Bill and Donna Kelly

January 3, 2014

David Houston

My Uncle was the greatest Uncle anyone could have. He was my inspiration in so many ways. His knowledge of computers was amazing, especially knowing that it was self-taught from books. He inspired me to have computer gaming as a hobby (to probably the dismay of my wife and parents) :) I will miss his contagious laugh, BIG bear hugs, and BOOMIN bass voice when sitting next to him in church singing. I will miss him at our family Christmas events where he brought his famous BBQ sausage, awesome cheese dip and probably accumulated every flavor of coffee invented. I will truly miss you and love you so much Uncle James.

January 3, 2014

Hunter Houston

Some things I like about Uncle James is that he has lots of creativity in technology, he was an inventor and he thinks up crazy cool inventions like his mini computer that he created. Even when things go wrong he never gave up. He also was a inspiration to me and my dad in computer gaming and when we can't figure out how to do something we would try to find out what went wrong or if its a bug or something is broken just like he would. I know if Uncle James were here he would find a way to make us all smile:) I love you Uncle James RIP

January 3, 2014

James Radford

Dear Janice, Jason, and Jamie,

It has been my privilege to work with James during his time at Trane. I am so sorry for your loss and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. James has touched many lives with his desire to help people in whatever way he could both at work and away from work.

January 3, 2014

Josh Mutchler

My sincere condolences to The family. James was a great person and mentor to me when I started my career at CSI. May he rest in peace.....

January 3, 2014

Dale Foster

Dear Janice, Jason, and Jamie: We were saddened to hear of James' passing. He was a true friend. He "broke me in" to computers over 25 years ago. He was so patient and willing to help me in many ways. You are in our prayers that God will comfort you in your loss. May God bless you all. --Dale and Sharon Foster

January 3, 2014

John Andrews

Dear family of James, please know that we at the openSUSE forums are indebted to James for the passionate assistance that he gave to us in the dissemination and support of knowledge of our Linux operating system. James will be remembered very fondly, a most admirable man. Regards and condolences from John Andrews (screen name swerdna).

January 2, 2014

Janice and Family - I worked with James for years on various Library projects. He was always friendly, super smart, willing to do what was needed and amazingly patient. He will be sorely missed. Kent Browning

January 2, 2014

Dear Janice and family. Jamie, thank you for notifying Jersey Village Church of Christ about the death of your dear dad. I have such fond memories of the time when all of you were at JV, and Janice was one of the best secretaries ever. I send my love and sincere sympathy during this difficult time. God bless all of you. Sincerely, Pauline

January 2, 2014

Tu Dang

James,
You were a great friend and a super role model. As Marty said, you will be missed.

Tu Dang and family

January 2, 2014

Tom Golla

Dear Janice and Family,

James was my mentor at Johnson Controls for years. I have many, many great memories of working and hunting with James. I still repeat several of his "sayings" to this day. He was a true friend and I am very saddened to hear of his passing.

January 2, 2014

Nancy George

Prayers and thoughts to family and friends at this most difficult time.

January 2, 2014

Gertjan Lettink a.k.a. Knurpht

Sincerest condolences to all James' dear ones. James and I never actually met in person, yet it feels like having lost a friend, more than I could have imagined. Loggin in on the openSUSE forums, then seeing his username a couple of times on the "new posts" page meant having something good to read. Not just his outstanding knowledge, but also his modest way of presenting this knowledge made it easy to learn from him. The openSUSE community will miss him. I'll miss him.

January 2, 2014

Dave Dewey (caprus)

I will long remember the level of dedication, expertise and courtesy demonstrated in each and every one of his many contributions to the worldwide openSUSE Linux community. He was a power of example and will be sorely missed.

January 2, 2014

Mega Byte

James was a writer I looked forward to reading. His help over the year was very valuable to me. I was shocked to hear of his passing. I felt a kinship with this man that I will now miss. I hope your loss is lessened by these memories from others.

January 2, 2014

Lee Loncosky

RIP James you will be greatly missed in the openSUSE community. I never met you personally but through your work on the forums you made many people including me feel welcome and empowered. I found James's scripts to be most useful to me and they will remain on my computer for many years to come. I will definitely miss seeing James familiar form post ending of "Thank You", thank you James.

January 2, 2014

Henk van Velden

Dear family of "James from Texas" as he was known on the openSUSE forums,

We on the forums, members and staff alike, will realy miss James. He created many helpfull posts and blogs and also, as a moderator, helped to keep the Forums in shape as a useful tool for openSUSE users all over the world.

His fellow moderators were aware of his medical problems, as he kept us up to date about them. Always in a good humoured and positive way.

All the best to you in these difficult times.

Henk van Velden (Netherlands)

January 2, 2014

david toles

Dear Janice and Family,

I have wonderful memories of a very pleasant association with James and Janice. You were and are very special people and I am so happy I was privileged to know you.

I am sorry for the sorrow you and the family now have in the passing of James. May God bless you with an extra measure of strength in this time of loss.

david toles and family

January 1, 2014

Rhonda Hinkelman

James will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. I enjoyed the short time I got to know him as my son's father in law. Prayers for all the family at this time of great loss!

January 1, 2014

Carl Fletcher

James was a virtual friend to me as a member of the openSUSE forums, nevertheless, I consider him as dear to me as many real friends. He shared a passion along with me and many others. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to all the family John 3:16

January 1, 2014

erin egland

You took care of everyone James.you gave true meaning to the family unit.I didn't know you long, but your whole family are such good people. Its a reflection on the man you are.

January 1, 2014

Angie

Uncle James, we already miss you so much. You were the best uncle-in-law ever! I will miss your big bear hugs and your deep and hearty laugh. Rest easy now. I love you.

January 1, 2014

Philip & Heidi Houston

Uncle James, we will miss your smiles and hugs! Jamie and Jason are so blessed to have a dad that loved them like you did.
We love you!

January 1, 2014

Tami Hernandez

Jason, Jamie and Sylvia,

My sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the loss of your father and father-in-law. You are all in my prayers.

With love,
Tami Hernandez

December 31, 2013

James,
You will be missed. You were a great friend and one of the best
people I have ever worked with.
Marty Hansen

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Funeral services provided by:

Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home

9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750

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