Wesley Newton Daniel

Wesley Newton Daniel SPEARMAN-Wesley Newt on Daniel died on June 22, 2012, in Spearman, Texas. He was 86 years old. Wesley was born on Valentine's Day, 1926, in Plainview, Texas, to the Rev. Newton S. Daniel and Thelma Linkenhoger Daniel. He had three younger brothers-Hugh B. (retired Methodist minister, now residing in Bushland, Texas), Sam (of Seward, Alaska) and Philip (of Friday Harbor, Wash.). Wesley graduated from Lefors, Texas, High School in May, 1944. Two days later, he shipped out to boot camp. During World War II, he served his country in the Seabees, the construction battalion force of the U.S. Navy, in Guam, and with the occupation forces in Japan. It was during this time that he made the decision to enter the ministry. In San Diego before he received his orders, he ran into a friend. Wesley remembered, The moment I saw him in the chow line, the Lord told me to talk to him about Christ. However, circumstances didn't permit a private moment, even though they spent the evening together, and then his friend shipped out before they got together again. Some time later, Wesley received the news that this friend had been killed in a kamikaze attack-That afternoon I laid on my bunk, so sorry I hadn't followed God's nudging. And this is when I made a deal with God-'Lord, get me out of this mess and I'll be that preacher you want me to be.' I didn't tell anyone of my decision until I made it home and could tell the folks. Since then, I tried to fulfill my part of the bargain I made with God. Upon returning to the States, Wesley entered McMurry University in Abilene. From there, he attended and graduated from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. It was at McMurry that he met the love of his life, Mary Beth McCollough. They were married in Panhandle, Texas, on Dec. 23, 1949. Together, they gave a lifetime of ministry to the United Methodist Church in the Northwest Texas Conference, serving in Becton-Lakeview, Union Bower, Quitaque, Lefors, Seagraves, Spearman, Littlefield and Plainview. Wesley was predeceased by his parents and an infant son, Jay Newton, who died on Dec. 15, 1952. In addition to his wife, Beth, and three brothers, Wesley is survived by his six daughters: Thel (and James Lemons of Freeburg, Ill.), Debi (and Craig Bryant of Houston, Texas), Lyn (and Joey Woolley of Spearman), Beckee Baker (of Spearman), Kim (and Haldon Messamore of Sudan, Texas) and Buzz (and Donnie Williamson of Lubbock, Texas). Survivors also include 11 grandchildren, their spouses, and 14 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Spearman, Texas, on Monday, June 25, at 2 p.m. with Pastor Toni Bailey officiating. Please send memorials to the Faith Promise Fund of First United Methodist Church, 407 S. Haney, Spearman, TX 79081.