Earl McDaniel

To Earl McDaniel, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Earl, he left a smile with most everyone he met. And, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Earl really mastered the art of easy living and had great fun in doing things with his family.

Earl was born on September 15, 1938, delivered by a mid-wife in his home that was located on the property that is now known as Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Florida. His parents were Thurman and Rozelle McDaniel. Earl was raised in Spanish Point / Osprey, Florida. Even as a child, Earl had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly.

Earl was raised with two siblings. He had two older brothers, Wayne and Clyde.

All of Earl's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Earl experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in Little League Baseball and he was a Cub Scout. In his spare time he liked fishing, hunting and swimming with his brothers.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Earl liked to have fun. Rather, Earl simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Earl, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Earl's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Earl graduated from Sarasota High School in 1956. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was Wood Shop. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Arthur Brekus.

Earl never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Earl to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Earl utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Jimmy & Bill Hopper, Albert Boatright, Martin & Joe Alden and Tom Harrell. Earl loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

On February 2, 1964 Earl exchanged wedding vows with Nancy Elizabeth Hardison at Osprey Baptist Church of Osprey, Florida. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Earl related so well to his grandchildren was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Earl was blessed with two sons, Bryan and Neil. He was also blessed with four grandchildren and two step grandchildren, Adam, Kaitlin, Corey, Joshua, Robbie and Matilda. Earl had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. He could spend hours entertaining them, when in fact they were entertaining him.

At work, as in life, Earl was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Earl was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Earl had a talent for being a down to earth thinker. His primary occupation was as a wholesale nursery broker. He was self employed and owned McDaniel Nursery Stock.

Earl was an Army Veteran. He received basic training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina and was stationed in Stutgard, Germany from October 1961 to October 1963. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Private First Class.

Earl was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were baseball especially Harry Carey and the Cubs, footbal, golf and most recently a Nascar fan.

Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Earl's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. In high school, Earl was a member of the Tech Club and a Student Council Member. Throughout his later years, Earl was an active member of the Florida Nurseryman Growers Association and was the 13 year old Babe Ruth Commissioner.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Earl recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member Osprey Baptist Church.

Earl loved to travel with Nancy and the kids. Favorite vacations included Biloxi, when he won $5000.00 on a slot machine, New Orleans, Tennessee, Chicago with his son, St. Augustine and houseboat trips to the Florida Keys.

Earl was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Earl's favorites was Savannah, a Daschund dog. They were best friends for 16 years. His family was rounded out by Snoopy, a Daschund Beagle mix, Shuggie (The Devil), a Mini Pincher mix, Leo, the kitten, Boo Kitty and Bitty, the chicken.

Earl passed away on October 24, 2011 in Sarasota, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy, sons, Bryan & Neil, daughters in law, Kimberley & Kimberlie, grandchildren, Adam, Kaitlin, Corey & Joshua, grand niece, Megan and step grandchildren, Robbie & Matilda. Services were held at Palms - Robarts Funeral Home Chapel. Earl was laid to rest in Osprey Bay / Spanish Point in Osprey, Florida.

Earl brought joy to all of those around him. He had a huge heart and a kind soul. He will be greatly missed.