Anthony Ray (Tony) Daniel of Florence, AL was born on March 31, 1964 in Florence, AL, the son of Kay Frances Conway Daniel of Collinwood, TN who survives the late Hoyt Ray Daniel.
It is with great sorrow we announce Mr. Daniel’s sudden passing of a heart attack on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at the same hospital where he was born: the Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, AL at the age of 48 years, 6 months, and 23 days.
He is survived by his mother, Kay Francis Conway Daniel, his brother, Timothy Carl Daniel of Collinwood, TN; sisters, Wanda Kay Daniel Greene and her husband, Calvin of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Amy Elizabeth Daniel Stanfield and husband, Michael of Bentonville, AR; nieces and nephews, Alexis Greene, Sydney Greene, Mikie Stanfield, Jacob Stanfield, Sam Ayers, Rusty Daniel, Hailey Dicus, Emma Dicus and a great-nephew Caden Daniel Stanfield; aunts, uncles, cousins and so many friends.
Mr. Daniel was a retail operations manager for Integrated Marketing Services. He was an incredibly well respected and invaluable member of the ASM team. He was described by co-workers as a passionate, authentic, intelligent, honest and compassionate leader. He did not simply lead his employees; he inspired them and changed their lives. He is quoted by an employee as “one of the best people [she] had ever known” and that “he made [her] want to be better but never made [her] feel like [she] wasn’t good enough.” That is the best way to describe Tony. He changed lives for the better. He made a profound impact on everyone he ever knew. He did not simply go to work and come home and forget about it. He deeply and genuinely cared for his work. He viewed it as an opportunity to inspire people and to give them a chance at bettering their lives.
Tony had an incredible sense of humor and could always show others the bright side of the darkest situations. He could make anyone laugh. His own smile and the sound of his laughter were enough to brighten anyone’s day. He was a loyal and dedicated son, brother, uncle and friend. He treated his nieces and nephews like they were his own children. He loved fiercely and would have done anything for those he loved. He was courageous, hard-working and inspiring. Tony taught others the value and freedom found in staying true to themselves. He was an immense role model and was looked up to by all who were lucky enough to know him.
Tony would want to be remembered with laughter and joy and by the thousands of warm memories he has left behind. Remember him for the love he shared, the lives he changed, the people he inspired, his courage, his laughter, and his indelible grace and spirit. Honor him by living life the way he did. Love fiercely, travel the world, inspire others, work hard and always persevere. He may be gone in body but his spirit will live on in the many who loved him. The love he shared is too great to be bound by this earth.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Directors Chapel, Collinwood, Tennessee, with Junior Daniel and Wanda Daniel Greene officiating with Shackelford Funeral Directors, Wayne County, directing. Visitation will be from 1 pm to 3 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nashville Cares at www.NashvilleCARES.org
