WINTER HAVEN - C. Richard Daniel, resident of Winter Haven, died December 25, 2009 at the age of 88.  He was born to the late Hallie Meredith and John Franklin Daniel on April 9, 1921 in Jenkins, Kentucky and was raised in Lexington, Kentucky.  He graduated from the University Training School and the University of Kentucky with a BS in Law.  He was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. 

After graduation from college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII, trained and was deployed overseas from Fort Benning, Georgia.  He served with the 14^th. Armored Infantry Battalion and the 1^st. Armored Division in Intelligence and Operations during operations and campaigns in Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and the Po Valley in Italy.  Wounded during combat, he was evacuated by mules trained to carry wounded soldiers down mountainous terrain to base hospitals.  He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart and the EAME (European, African, Middle Eastern) Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars.  Upon recovery from his combat wounds, he was assigned to the Intelligence School of the Allies in France.  While in France, he was accepted into the Army Education Program at the University of Birmingham Law School in Birmingham, England.  Returning home to Lexington, Kentucky following the War, he became a Coal Mine Owner-Operator with his brother, the late James M. Daniel, in Kentucky.

In 1956, he moved to Winter Haven and became the Owner-Operator of Superior Block and Superior Sand Companies with his father-in-law, the late Clarence A. Staub.  In addition to the concrete block manufacturing business, he was active in the local citrus industry, was a licensed building contractor and developed properties in Florida, North Carolina and Kentucky.  He was an avid Kentucky Wildcat fan, was a Kentucky Colonel and enjoyed owning and racing Kentucky thoroughbred houses.

Mr. Daniel was a member of the Winter Haven Masonic Lodge 186 and was a 32^nd. Degree Mason.  He was a long-time member of the Shiners Egypt Temple.  He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and a Past Director of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce.  He was a charter member of the Lake Region Yacht and County Club and a charter member of the Boca Grande Club, Boca Grande, Florida.

He was also predeceased by a sister, Jane Allen.  He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Edna Allyne "Buddie" Daniel, two daughters, Dannie Dougherty of Winter Haven, Dale Lawrence (John) of Asheville, North Carolina, a son, Dr. C. Richard Daniel, Jr. (Eve) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a sister, Francis Pennebaker (John) of Lexington, Kentucky, 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Friends and relatives are invited to the Funeral Service:  11:00 a.m. Tuesday December 29, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven followed by interment at Lakeside Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Boy Scout Troop 121, First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven. 

Condolences to the family can be sent to:   www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.