Ellis Howard (Luke) Daniel

Services for Ellis Howard (Luke) Daniel, 88, of Lufkin, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June17, 2015, in the First Presbyterian Church in Lufkin with Dr. Brian Wiggins officiating. Interment will follow in Gann Cemetery.

Mr. Daniel was born January 5, 1927 in Keltys, Texas to the late Mary H. (Goodman) and David E. Daniel. He passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015 in a local hospital.

Mr. Daniel was retired from Love Wood Products Company in Diboll, Texas, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer. He was later employed by Home Savings and Loan Association in Lufkin. He served on the Board of Directors of the Museum of East Texas and was interim Director during their search for a permanent leader to fill that post. He was also employed part-time for a number of years at Gipson Funeral Home.

He was active for many years in music and theater, and participated in support of the arts in our area, as well as studying and performing in New York and Los Angeles. He served on the Board of Directors of the Community Playhouse and also Angelina College Community Theatre, directing and performing in various productions. He also directed choirs at Keltys United Methodist Church, First Christian Church and, most recently, First Presbyterian Church, for a number of years. He was a member and Elder at First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Daniel was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Diboll, serving as its secretary and president, and was a member of Lufkin Rotary Club at his death. He was a member of Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669, A.F. & A.M., Houston Scottish Rite, Arabia Temple of the Shrine and the Lufkin Shrine Club. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a member of the board served as president of the Humane Society of Angelina County, as well as being active in many other city and county organizations.

He is survived by his daughter and husband, Jan and Ken Champagne of Muskogee, Oklahoma; son and wife, David F. and Rhonda Eaves of Nacogdoches, Texas; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Daniel was preceded in death by his wife, Maude Edwards Daniel; his parents, Mary H. and David E. Daniel; and sister, Jeanette D. Patterson.

Pallbearers will be Jerry L. Dickerson, L. C. Johnson, Jason Dickerson, Dan Given, Don Duran, and Ken Champagne.

Honorary pallbearers will be Don A. Dickerson, Rush B. Studinski, and Earnie Battle.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Daniel’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 607 Janeway, Lufkin, TX 75901; Hospice in the Pines, 1504 West Frank Avenue, Lufkin, TX 75904; Humane Society of Angelina County, 1102 North John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, TX 75901; Museum of East Texas, 503 North Second Street, Lufkin, TX 75901; or to a charity of choice.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.