David Thomas Daniel

David Thomas Daniel, 74, died on Thursday, November 4, 2010. He was our beloved husband, father, and grandfather... . He was our ""Grandman"". Grandman was a life-long resident of Brevard County. Son of Harrison and Josephine Daniel of Cocoa, Fl., he spent many years residing on the shores of the Indian River. He was a 1954 graduate of Cocoa High School where he was President of his class and member of the baseball, basketball, and football teams. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech and held a master's degree from FSU. While in college, he married his high school sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Judy McCurry Daniel. Grandman served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and worked for RCA at PAFB and the Brevard County School Board until 1973 when his life changed directions entirely and he made Christ the center of his life. He later joined the staff of Park Avenue Baptist Church in Titusville, Fl. There he filled both administrative and ministerial roles, but his passion was for shepherding folks in small life groups. His eyes would light up when he got the chance to talk about mentoring someone in their relationship with the lord. Grandman invested his life in his family. He made it his priority to attend the recitals, graduations, and sports events to make sure we all knew that he loved and supported us. He spearheaded a yearly family gathering at Lake Weir where his children's children have played and bonded. It is a place that we cherish... it's been 47 years running. Grandman longed for his kids and grandkids to know the Lord he loved so much and God has been faithful. He has had the joy of baptizing many of his grandchildren. This was his heart. In 2002, shortly after retiring, Grandman began to experience symptoms of what was later diagnosed as Multiple Systems Atrophy. He soon lost the ability to participate in the things he loved. His care needs eventually required a move to an assisted living facility. Through all of this we watched our Grandman live out what he believed... that God is sovereign... that God loved him... that He could be trusted with this life and with eternity. That is the legacy he leaves with us. Through our family will miss our Grandman... we rejoice because he is now celebrating with His Lord after a job well done. Grandman is survived by his wife Judy M. Daniel and his children: Dina Franklin (Dave) of Cocoa, Julee Andrews (Steve) of Tallahassee, Fl, Deanne Bullock ( Darwin) of Ocklawaha, and David Daniel, Jr. ( Kim) of Tallahassee, Fl. He had 17 Grandchildren. Funeral will take place at the First Baptist Church of Cocoa, 750 Brevard Avenue at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 11, 2010 with a graveside service to follow at the Pinecrest Cemetery on Clearlake Road in Cocoa. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home /Viera in charge of arrangements.