Rodger Walter Daniel

Our beloved husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother and Uncle passed away peacefully into the Lord’s hands on March 5, 2012 from complications following cardiac surgery.

Rod grew up in Spokane on the South Hill with his big brother and little sister. He attended school at Hutton Grade School and Lewis & Clark High School. He played basketball and baseball and was a young Eagle Boy Scout. The family built a rustic cabin at Priest Lake, Idaho in 1946 on land purchased earlier. The “cabin” belongs to the Daniel Clan and is used year around and is a cherished spot for all of us.

Rod loved to fish with his boys and caught several trophy Mackinaw trout over the years. He was an avid outdoorsman. Snow skiing, waterskiing, mountain climbing, and hiking were just some of the activities he enjoyed doing with his family.

Rod graduated from Oregon State in 1951 with a BS in Food Technology and Agriculture. He was drafted into the Air Force and completed basic training at Randolph AFB, Texas. He spent 3 years stationed around the U.S. at radar stations, defense links in detection of enemy aircraft. Rod was stationed in New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. He had many experiences and was always proud of his service time.

Rod met Carol while working in Wenatchee as a Food tech at the Cedergreen Frozen Pea Plant. It was love at first sight. They enjoyed hiking, swimming, and tennis in their off hours between the night shifts they worked together. Rod finished his senior year at Oregon State and Carol started nursing school at Sacred Heart in Spokane. Boxes of letters filled in the 3 years they were apart while Rod was in the Air Force.

October 24, 1953 he and Carol Bovee were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wenatchee, WA. The newlyweds then headed for Iowa on their honeymoon. They were then soon stationed at Randolph AFB in San Antonio, TX. Rod was with the Space Flight Program in the Veterinary Science Division, School of Aviation Medicine. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was then discharged in 1955. Rod and Carol headed back to Oregon to take some classes at OSC for a term.

The young couple came to the Yakima Valley for Rod’s 1st job at Del Monte in Toppenish. Son Tom was born Jan. 1 1956 as the 1st baby of the New Year. The family moved back and forth from Toppenish to Yakima and then spent 2 years at the Vancouver, WA plant.

In 1962 Rod and Carol became the proud owners of 40 acres of orchard planted with semi dwarf apple trees on Lucy Lane in Zillah, WA. During 14 years of this time Rod worked for as a field man for Niagara Chemicals and FMC. He enjoyed meeting other growers and the special friends at FMC.

He was always adding and improving the orchard and it was a show place for tours of the semi dwarf trees. The family grew as Dave, Sally, and Molly were born. The Zillah orchard was home for more than 30 years and children were active in many activities including Boy Scouts. Rod was a Scout Master of Zillah Troup 553 for about 5 years. The family all helped in the orchard and many friends worked in the harvests. All the kids graduated from college and Rod and Carol retired to their new home in the country North of Selah.

Rod loved to plan fall trips in the 23 foot 5th wheel. With his motto being “If you don’t know where you are going you might end up somewhere else.” Rod and Carol covered every state state in the U.S. and always found new scenery, history and enjoyment for 20 years including 2 ½ weeks this last Fall.

Rod and Carol’s 25th anniversary was celebrated by a trip to England and Paris. For their 50th anniversary they took a cruise to the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal.

First Presbyterian Church has been our family home since 1964. All of our children were married there. Now Rod is with his savior and is with us always in our hearts.

Rod is survived by his wife of 58 years Carol Daniel of Selah. His daughter-in-law, Debra Daniel of Nine Mile Falls, WA; his son, David Daniel (Leslie) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughters, Sally Ladendorf (Kent) of Kennewick and Molly Himes (Scott) of Moxee. His brother Leland Daniel (Eunice) and his sister Arla Mock (Dean). His grandchildren Sarah and Mary Daniel, Davy and Dustin Daniel, Kipp(Kenna), Amy, Megan Ladendorf and James and Zachary Himes a great grandson Albrecht Ladendorf and numerous nieces and nephews that all loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arla and Leland Daniel and his son, Thomas Daniel.

If desired in lieu of flowers donations in Rod’s name may be made to Ghormley Meadow Christian Camp, c/o of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, March 9, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima, burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, WA. To share a memory of Rod visit keithandkeith.com. Arrangements under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.