Harry Irwin McDaniel

Rev Dr. Harry Irwin McDaniel, Sr., 75, of Groveton, Texas, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017 in Lufkin, Texas. He was born on February 26, 1942 in Texarkana, Texas, one of eleven children to Luther Milbred and Mary Irwin McDaniel. Harry graduated from M.B. Smiley High School in Houston, Texas in 1960. He graduated from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia in 2004, receiving a double Doctorate’s degree in Theology and Counseling.

After graduating, he married his high school sweetheart, Elsie Mae Mills. Harry was a singer/songwriter who aspired to be a Rock n’ Roll singer in his youth. But God got a hold of his heart and lead him and Elsie into the ministry. While studying theology, Harry worked as a meat cutter for City Market in Dayton and other large grocers in the area. He also owned the Butcher Shop located in Atascocita. One of Harry’s hobbies was leatherworking and making leather bible covers for his children. Eventually all Harry desired was to preach and sing the word of God. He became a Deacon and then was ordained in the early 1970’s. Harry and his family continued their ministry for more than 50 years while traveling and singing gospel music throughout the area. He served as pastor of numerous churches in the Liberty County area and was currently the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Groveton. Harry used his favorite scripture John 14:1-6 every service he did to help lead others to the Lord.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his son Sean McDaniel, Sr.; and his siblings James McDaniel, Gladys Duncan, Patricia Duncan, Henry McDaniel and Leroy McDaniel. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 57 years Elsie Mae Mills McDaniel; his children Harry McDaniel, Jr. and wife Brenda, Morgan McDaniel and wife Cheryl and Sheryl Riley and husband Johnny; his grandchildren Kristen Craig and husband Randy, Amie McDaniel, Kristopher McDaniel and wife Colline, Morgan McDaniel, Jr. and wife Lori, Kandis McDaniel, Cason McDaniel, Kassie McDaniel, Caleb Riley and wife Christy, Morgan Taylor and husband Zachary, Sean McDaniel and wife Vanessa, Brian McDaniel and wife Whitney and Kara Ford; his great-grandchildren Taylor, Avyn, Rayna, Lauren, Chloe, Chance, Gavin, Jace, Maycee, Olivia, Hayden, Drake, Blake, Serenity, Bailey and Zander; his siblings Juanita Freeze, Lula Ruthledge, Shirley Hamm, William (Jabo) McDaniel and Arthur Ray McDaniel; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Kristopher McDaniel, Morgan McDaniel, Jr., Caleb Riley, Sean McDaniel, Brian McDaniel, Zachary Taylor and Randy Craig.

Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 10am on Thursday, September 14, 2017 in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 602 N. Main Street, Dayton, Texas. A funeral service will follow at 11am, with Bro George Elledge officiating. A graveside service and committal will immediately follow in Palms Memorial Park in Dayton, Texas.

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