Raymond A. McDaniel

Raymond Allen McDaniel, Jr., 81, passed away on April 18 in Abilene surrounded by his loving family. There will be a visitation between 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, April 23 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home (6449 Buffalo Gap Road). Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, April 24 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (1741 Sayles Blvd.) with The Reverend Bill Libby and The Reverend Amy Feltz officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Raymond was born in Abilene to Raymond McDaniel, Sr. and Ruth Barr McDaniel. He grew up in Eastland, Big Spring, and Abilene before graduating from Texas A&M in 1955. He then served in the Signal Corps of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Captain before his resignation. Raymond married the love of his life, Gloria Beatty, on September 1, 1956. Raymond enjoyed a long career as a leader in several business enterprises. He spent 30 years working at Texas Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He served as its President from 1974 until his “retirement” in 1986. He was a founder and President of Key City Vending, Western Container Corporation, and Bottler Systems, Inc. He also served on the boards of the Texas Soft Drink Association and the National Soft Drink Association. Raymond subsequently served as a Director at First Financial Bank, as President of Elm Cattle Company, and as a partner with Design Growth Investments. The way Raymond lived his life reflected his passion for service and his love for family and friends. He also enjoyed many hobbies - among them hunting, ranching, traveling, photography, and driving around in his homemade jeep, the Watzit. Raymond’s community service included the following: President of the Board at McMurry University, President of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, President of the Abilene Zoological Society, Director of the Texas Tourist Council, President of the Abilene Industrial Foundation, Chairman of the Salvation Army Board, Chairman of the Board at St. Paul United Methodist Church, President of the Abilene Kiwanis Club, member of the Board at the Community Foundation of Abilene, and Honorary Commander at Dyess AFB. He was also active with the Buffalo Gap Historical Village, Butman Methodist Camp, The Texas Historical Commission, and two US Military organizations (DOCA and AIFO), Noah, and Developmental Resources, Inc. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Gloria; his children and their spouses: Bryant (Nancy) of Marietta, Georgia; Beth McDaniel Leyendecker (Ernie) of Houston; and Allen (Mary Anne) of Austin; his grandchildren: Molly and Doug McDaniel, Christopher and Mairead Leyendecker, and Max McDaniel; his brother: Robert (Martha); and many lifelong friends. Memorials may be given to The Salvation Army, 1726 Butternut, Abilene, TX 79602, or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be submitted at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com. Raymond’s family wishes to thank all those who have come to help during this difficult time.