James Andrew McDaniel was born Feb. 6, 1944, to Corbia & Fairy (Kimbro) McDaniel in a house in Cox City, Oklahoma. James was the youngest of four boys.
The family moved to Oklahoma City, then to Mustang, where James excelled in high school basketball. After graduating in 1962 from Mustang High School, he received a basketball scholarship to Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma.
He returned home and joined the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Division and began working at Tinker Air Force Base. In the summer of 1963, he met Patricia Graham at the Yukon Czech Hall. The next day they went on their official date to swim at Twilight Gardens in Oklahoma City. Dates continued until their marriage on June 18, 1964.
The newlyweds set up home in Yukon, Oklahoma, and had their first child, daughter Dawn D’Lynne in 1969. A couple of years later in 1971, son Jay Mack was born.
After volunteering at the Yukon Police Department, James so enjoyed public service that he joined the force full time against Pat’s wishes. James quickly became Officer of the Year in 1973 and rose to the rank of Assistant Chief, which is the position he held when he retired in 1991. During his career, James showed interest in marksmanship, he competed and won many competition pistol matches including State and National tournaments. At the time, Yukon did not have a firing range, so James – along with prisoners from the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office – constructed a pistol range that remains to this day. After retirement, he formed two businesses – JAMCO Mowing & Yukon Auction Service. The entire family worked auctions and enjoyed the friendships made over those years.
James’ involvement in the Yukon community was extensive- coaching little league for D’Lynne’s and Jay’s sports, security officer for First National Bank, Yukon Quarterback Club president, serving two years, founding Yukon Ike CB Radio club and co-founding Yukon’s Neighborhood Watch program. James and Pat were recognized for their support of Yukon Public School Athletics and served beer at the Czech Hall, which was a regular stop for James and Pat over their many years of marriage.
James was strong willed and 99.9% always right. He was a supporter of the Republican Party, Oklahoma State Cowboys and Tulsa Golden Hurricane football. He was an avid watcher of FOX News (24/7). James had nine lives overcoming multiple forms of cancer over the last 15 years. He voiced how tired he was and gave up fighting the morning of Nov. 18, 2022.
Among those he trusted..which were a scant few…he left us with cherished memories and the indelible imprints on our lives of a man’s character that can’t be measured in words. We will miss him terribly.
James was survived by wife, Pat McDaniel; daughter, D’Lynne McDaniel; son, Jay McDaniel (Diane); granddaughter, Jessica Bishop (Reyes); great granddaughter, Lakely Bishop and great grandson to arrive in May; brothers, Harold McDaniel (Ruth Ann) and Reaford McDaniel; and brother-in-law, Charles Graham; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; stillborn sister, Vela; and brother, Clyde McDaniel.
Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at Frisco Cemetery Pavilion in Yukon, Oklahoma.
Online condolences may be signed at www.yandafuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Yanda & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Yukon, Oklahoma.
