Jerry Daniel

Jerry Daniel was born January 9, 1953 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the union of Issiac and Jessie Bell Daniel. He was the youngest of 3 children and is survived by 2 brothers. As a young man, he professed hope in Jesus as his Savior.

Jerry attended Arsenal Technical High School for 2 years. He transferred to Arlington High School and graduated in 1971. He attended Merritt College – Oakland, California from 1975-77 and was a member of the school’s basketball team. He transferred to California State University, Hayward in Oakland, CA. The summers of 1975 and 1976, he worked as the Director for Community Action Against Poverty (CAAP) summer youth program. Upon his return to Indianapolis, he began full-time employment with the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) from October 1979 until October 1990 transporting students on IPS Bus No. 327. He was beloved by parents and students alike. He also worked as a Unit Supervisor at Marion County Juvenile Center from November 1979 until October 1989. He took joy in the moments he could encourage the young people he encountered from day-to-day to do better.

He went on to be blessed with his first-born child, Tamarah, and later with his only son, Jerry II. In June of 1983 he married Elnora Brown and from that union was blessed with 2 daughters - Jessica “Jessie” Lynn and Leah Nicole.

If you knew Jerry, then you know he had a number of loves. He loved family, good music (especially jazz), a good laugh (…in his deep baritone), a good game of bid whiz and the “one armed bandit.” He had a love for basketball (his companions on the court were always Big Fred, “Mighty Mouse” and Poncho). Lest we forget…..he enjoyed nothing better than putting a good-looking car on the road headed anywhere close to family or good friends!

He attended C-1 Truck Driving Center in Indianapolis for specialized training in driving trucks and buses. For many years he drove 18-wheelers all across the country. He loved the freedom of the road, the beauty of the country and the chance he was afforded to meet new people or to visit “his people” – especially family in Lima, Ohio.

In recent years he supported his nephew, Isaac’s, “Straight Up Stupid” comedy events as a security guard. He worked the shows out of his love for family and good comedy. His big personality and authentic ability to connect with people endeared him personally to many of the national comic celebrity guests…Cocoa Brown and Sinbad (to name just a few). On one occasion, Sinbad shared with Isaac that he would come to Indy to play in the infamous Indianapolis Dust Bowl Basketball Tournaments because he wanted to play against “Jerry Daniel” and his friend “Mighty Mouse.” He introduced the comic to his “Uncle Jerry” and they spent a weekend hanging out before, after and between shows laughing and remembering the good old days playing ball in the Dust Bowl.

Jerry was proud of his Facebook page where he had amassed over 1000 followers. He would message a jazz selection from a favorite musician to them every morning. They looked forward to reading his daily post – always designed to encourage and uplift. In his words, “I’m no Deacon or Pastor. Just a member of the community trying to make a positive difference.”

Jerry’s greatest pride and deepest love was for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was tremendously proud of them and their accomplishments. He often celebrated his love for them in numerous facebook posts and pictures. In his own words…..about his daughters: Tamarah, Jessica, Leah and Yolanda: “I need to give thanks for my babies, because when He put these beautiful, strong black women together, He threw in a little something extra. Mothers, who are family and community role models”; about Jerry II (his namesake) “thankful for my son…my miracle baby….My Hero.”

Jerry Daniel transitioned this life Monday, January 11, 2021 at the age of 68 years. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Issiac and Jessie Bell Daniel. He leaves to cherish his memory 1 son, Jerry Daniel II; 4 daughters: Tamarah Towers-Ellis, Jessica (Gary) Moore, Leah (Christopher) Fulton, Yolanda Oliver. Two brothers: Issiac, Jr. (Cynthia) Daniel and W. Charles Daniel. Godbrothers: Zaro Poe and Alphonzo Hardiman, Jr. and foster sister: Lois Brown-Austin, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

A Virtual Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, January 22, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Please visit Memories by Deborah at mbd.onuniverse.com or on Facebook to view the service.