Gary McDaniel

Gary McDaniel, 88, of Bismarck, ND, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on June 16, 2026.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck. Family will be receiving guests one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, ND.  To view the livestream, go to https://youtu.be/0ivQ3MXAMS4

Gary was born on January 5, 1938, to Mary Willyard McDaniel and Verle McDaniel Sr. He attended Jamestown High School, Jamestown College, and Worsham College of Mortuary Science, after which he began his career at the Daly-Peterson Funeral Home.

Gary and his wife, Delores “Pat” McDaniel, were married in 1962 and made their home in Jamestown. In 1965, they moved to Colorado, where Gary began a successful career in medical sales and management. His career later took the family to California, where he and Pat raised their two children, Cory and Cindy, made lifelong friends, and enjoyed outdoor adventures with warmer weather! After leaving California, Gary and Pat made a stop in Reno where they ran a successful business.

Gary cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, rarely missing an opportunity to attend their sporting events or other activities. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed spending time in the mountains, fishing, hunting, water skiing, and woodworking. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at 14. He continued to serve as a Boy Scout leader for many years.

After retiring Gary and Pat moved to North Dakota, making their home in Bismarck. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and he enjoyed spending more time with Pat. He and Pat shared a love of camping and made many camping trips with family and friends over the years. In their later years, they enjoyed extended winter camping trips throughout the southern United States.

After a time, Gary wanted to be busy again and he joined the Bismarck Funeral Home for 20 plus years as the pre-need coordinator. He held a funeral directors license for more than 50 years. He was honored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association for his service to the profession.

Gary is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pat McDaniel; his children, Cory (Deb) McDaniel and Cindy (Richard) McDaniel-Lureen; his grandchildren, Emily (Matthew) Steffes, Eric (Waverly) McDaniel, Craig McDaniel, Daniel Lureen and Evan Lureen; and his great-grandchildren, Weeks, Woods and Atlas. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Ginger McDaniel, Kathie Arneson, Cheryl Lien; his brothers-in-law, Kenneth Baeth, Norman Lien and Russ Senne; his cousins, Jan and Ellis Blinsky, and many other special cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers; and brother Verle McDaniel Jr; his in-laws, Earl and Agnes Berge of Ypsilanti; his sisters-in-law, Karen Baeth, Linda Senne, and Linda “Toopie” Berge; and his brothers-in-law, Bryce Arneson and Lenus Berge.