Charles McDaniel

Charles W. McDaniel, 83, passed away on July 18th, 2010 at his home. Charles William McDaniel, the oldest son of four brothers, was a native of Fairfield, Alabama. Both of his parents were music teachers. His father, Charles A. McDaniel, was a student at Tuskegee Institute and his mother, Willie Viola (Selden), was the first female graduate of Miles College in Fairfield. His parents organized the Birmingham Sacred Symphony Orchestra in the 1920s. Charles began to develop his musical talent at an early age when he played saxophone and piano with his father and brothers. During high school, he was appointed as temporary band director. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended Miles College, where he played saxophone, clarinet and French horn in the marching and dance bands. He moved to Toledo, Ohio and married Rose L. Bowen in 1949. To this union was born one daughter, Deborah, and two sons, Charles F. and Reginael. In 1950, Charles organized the Royal Swanks Band, which played for most area high school proms, the Ebony Fashion Show, the first black Cotillion and the Chere Amies dance. He also played gospel music at First Baptist Church in Fremont, Ohio, Second Baptist Church in Holland, Ohio, and Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church and the Gospel Jubilettes. He enhanced his music education by attending the Bach Conservatory of Music in Toledo, Ohio. His civil service began in 1952 as an employee at Rossford Ordinance Depot and ended 39 years later in Atlanta, GA, as Deputy Director of logistics management directive at Headquarters Forces Command under the leadership of General Colin Powell. Some of the many highlights in his illustrious career include working at the Pentagon and receiving a letter of appreciation from the White House signed by President Gerald Ford for saving the government over $2 million. After civil service retirement, he was elected a board member of Local 15-286. In 1999, Charles became the first black secretary/treasurer for Local 15-286 and one of only four black secretary/treasurers in the United States and Canada. He served in that capacity until 2010. In 1993, he organized a group of teenagers into a Gospel Jazz group called Jelise and Company. This group was named after his granddaughter, Jelise, whom he had taught to play saxophone. They have traveled throughout Toledo and the states of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana bringing their unique, upbeat, sound of praise to God to many churches and other venues. He leaves to cherish wonderful memories, wife, Rose; daughter, Deborah, (Derrick) Roberts; sons, Charles F. (Deidre) of Indianapolis, IN and Reginael (Diann) of Atlanta, GA; brother, Braxton (Renay) McDaniel of Birmingham, AL and sister-in-law, Mother Willie L. Jones of Toledo, OH; grandchildren, Jeremy Lincoln of Miami, FL, Cameron (Lori) and Corey McDaniel of Indianapolis, IN, Jelise Roberts of Columbus, OH, and great-grandchildren, Christian McDaniel and Joelle Gregoire-Lincoln. Visitation will be Friday 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with musical tribute 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Indiana Ave. Missionary Baptist Church. Wake service Saturday 11:00 a.m. followed by funeral service at 12:00 noon at the church, Rev. Dr. John E. Roberts, officiant. Interment Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home. www.dalefh.com

Charles McDaniel

July 18, 2010