Richard O. McDaniel, age 71

Richard O. McDaniel, age 71, of Cliffside, passed away on Friday, February 26, 2016.

Born March 16, 1944 in Rutherford County, he was a son to the late, J.C. McDaniel and Katy Durham McDaniel. He was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1962 where he was an outstanding football player. Richard worked for Duke Power for nineteen years as a supervisor at the McGuire Nuclear Power Plant. He was a farmer most of his life and owned the Hickory Hills Farms where he was involved with raising cattle and tomato farming. Richard was a man of faith and a longtime member of Hicks Grove Baptist Church. He served in the church as a deacon, youth leader, children ministries volunteer, prison ministry worker, Sunday School teacher and various other positions. He was also the representative/sponsor for Boy Scout Troop #999 and served on the Grassy Pond Water Works Board. Richard had a heart for the youth and missions. He was a Big Brother volunteer and was one of the Charter members of the Christian Agriculture Mission Services (CAMS). He travelled to Haiti many times, teaching farming techniques and digging many water wells. Richard just recently donated his farming acreage to Hicks Grove in order to start a Christian Youth and Conference Center called Camp McDaniel. He had a heart for God's work and a heart for others and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Samuel Charles McDaniel.

Survivors include his brother, Bobby McDaniel and wife, Linda of Cliffside; niece, Tammy McDaniel of Arden, NC; nephew, Kevan McDaniel, Sr. of Boiling Springs, NC; one uncle, Samuel "Bud" Durham of Asheville; grandnephew, Kevan McDaniel, Jr. of Cliffside; grandniece, Megan Wilhoit and husband, Ron of Boiling Springs, SC; great-grandnephew, Branson Wilhoit and great-grandniece, Berkeley Wilhoit and a host of cousins.

Funeral services were conducted at the Hicks Grove Baptist Church with Reverend Raymond Byrd, Reverend Dr. Don McIntyre and Mr. Jim Revis officiating. Interment followed in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to CAMS, PO Box 111, Hendersonville, NC 28793

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.