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Friday,
November 09, 2007
Fred
Daniel
Wheeler
Funeral Home & Crematory
Staff
Reports
Friday,
November 09, 2007
A bus
arrived in heaven today carrying the clear, perfect pitch, tenor
voice of Fred Daniel. Imagining all those awaiting the arrival of
that bus brings comfort to those who saw him off on his trip. Fred
was greeted by his parents John and Alice Daniel. He grew up in
Porterdale, the youngest of 12 children. He was then reunited with
his wife Hilda Dial Daniel. He once said about his wife of 64
years, "She has been by my side for a long time. My wife
raised my children because I was on the road. It has been a good
life - she has been good for me." Mrs. Daniel made the
journey one month prior to Fred. She has been making preparations
in heaven for Fred's next performance. They are now by each
other's side for eternity.
Wallace "Happy" Edwards may have been
next in the receiving line. Happy and Fred sang on the front steps
of the Porterdale Methodist Church as kinds. Later, they formed
The Happy Four and continued singing together. Burl Strevel and
Ace Richman also were waiting with open arms wanting to know the
next tour dates. Red Foley eagerly waited with the guys so that
they could have a reunion singing of "Peace in the
Valley," now that they could truly appreciate what that song
meant. "Peace in the Valley" by Red Foley and The
Sunshine Boys was the first gospel record to sell over one million
copies. J.D. Sumner and Elvis Presley were also waiting to sing
around a piano with the "fat boy" who could jump so
high.
Those waiting to catch a later bus are his sister
Rosie Bailey; sons Gary and Scott with their wives Bobbie and
Sheila; grandchildren Dana, David, Chase and Kyle;
great-grandchildren Trevor, Colin, Samantha and anxiously awaited
Baby Daniel (Chase).
Along Fred's earthly journey, he spent time as a
Gunners First Mate, 3rd Class, in the U.S. Navy. He served for two
years in the South Pacific during World War II. On his return from
service, it was right back to gospel singing. Fred spend three
years with The Happy Four, 16 years with The Sunshine Boys and 12
years with The Blue Ridge Quartet. During his professional singing
career, he recorded over 3,000 songs. As part of The Sunshine
Boys, Fred appeared in 19 western movies and in "The Durango
Kid" series with Smiley Burnett. Some of the songs he sang
and collaborated on during these filmings were "Cool
Water" and "Tumbleweed." In 2005 he was inducted
into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame as part of The Sunshine Boys.
Other accolades included being inducted into the Atlanta Country
Music Hall of Fame, receiving the Pioneer Gospel Music Award and
being honored as a Gospel Music Living Legend.
Fred turned from professional singing to
professional sales later in life and worked as district, regional
and divisional sales manager for Mutual of Omaha. His kind
personality and incredible work ethic served him well in both
careers. More recently, Fred and Hilda had retired to Covington to
be close to family and friends. Fred was always eager for a
reunion show with Ed Wallace and Kenny Gates. He said his greatest
joy was when he was in front of people singing - "That's when
I felt I was at my best."
Mr. Daniel died Nov. 6. The family will receive
friends at Wheeler Funeral Home Sunday, Nov. 11, from 2 p.m. to 3
p.m. A memorial service will follow in the chapel at 3 p.m. with
the Rev. John Ozley and the Rev. Jim Moore officiating.
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