The Herald Democrat
December 3, 2009

Services for Mike Ray McDaniel, devoted father and beloved maintenance man, were held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 4, 2009 at Dannel Funeral Home with Bro. Tandy Troutman officiating his memorial service. After the funeral Mike was cremated and his ashes were scattered according to his wishes. He passed from this life on November 30, 2009.
Mike was born in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, to Ray and Ruth Spurlock McDaniel. He was raised on a peanut farm in Coleman, Oklahoma and attended Coleman schools. He first worked as a GM certified mechanic and then at Libby Owens Ford. Later on, he managed the parts departments for various dealerships in the Texoma area. For several years after that, he traveled as a superintendent and built department stores in malls all over the country. He had fond memories of the friends he made at each of these places and loved to share stories about his work and travels.
For the past eight years Mike lived and worked at the Villas at Parkhaven in Sherman as lead maintenance. Mike looked after the tenants of his apartment complex as if they were his own family because that is who they were to him. He took immense pride in his work. He was diversely skilled and well known for being able to repair anything that was broken and often joked he "could fix almost anything but a broken heart, but he could even patch one of those up for a little while."
Mike was a prankster and a teller of tall tales. He loved to joke, laugh, and fish. He especially cherished fishing with his son-in-law whom he considered to be the son he never had.  In addition, he loved to collect coins, knives, and arrowheads. Hunting arrowheads with his brother Mark was something that truly blessed him. He enjoyed working with and teaching his trade to his maintenance assistant, Jose, whom he was also very proud of.
Perhaps most of all, Mike adored his baby girl, Kylee. They spent countless hours cooking together, sharing recipes and stories, and working on projects around Brandon and Kylee's first house that he helped turn into a home. He made the best pork ribs in this county and found no greater joy than to share his culinary creations with those that he loved. He will be missed by Kylee's many childhood friends who adored his home-cooked meals and affectionately referred to him as "Dad."
Mike was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ted.
Mike is survived by his daughter, Kylee and her husband, Brandon Toney, of Sherman; five brothers, Mark, Tommy, Jerry, Fred Darrell, and Jimmy McDaniel; two sisters, Linda Trammell and Jeannie Hopkins; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that you make donations to: Grand Central Station Soup Kitchen, c/o Wells Fargo Advisors, 2027 Texoma Pkwy, Sherman, TX 75090 or City of Sherman Animal Shelter (903) 892-7255.