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Pellom McDaniels Obituary
McDaniels was a faculty curator of the African American Collections at Emory University's Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library. He played football for Oregon State University and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The father of two and his wife would have celebrated their 24th anniversary next month.
Navvab McDaniels said her husband had health issues, but doctors think his death was the result of a ""neurological event.""
An avid gardener, McDaniels doted on his two children, Ellington ""Duke"" McDaniels, 18; and Sofia McDaniels, 15.
A graveside service will be held later this week.
Read more about Pellom McDaniels on ajc.com
Memories and Condolences
for Pellom McDaniels
72 Entries
Peggy Dobbins
March 30, 2021
A wonderful person, scholar, artist. We are ALL diminished by the absence of Pellom from our earth and lives.
pamela mcdonough
September 10, 2020
i produced a profile of Pellom for CBS Sunday Morning in 1998.
what a warm wonderful man! i have the fondest memories of him and his wife. i still have an art box he painted and gave me as a present.
cherished and even more now. i only just learned of his passing.
reading about everything he did after football is thrilling. a great mind.
RIP
pamela mcdonough
Collette Hopkins
September 9, 2020
I met Pellom through the National Black Arts Festival. I remember the day that he presented himself to the Festival team. All of us thought long and hard about how he could be presented by the Festival. Soft spoken, obliviously kind and very intelligent, clearly a true Renaissance man. As they say, the rest is history.
I was so sorry to hear of his transition but I am sure that the lives he touched will never forget the lessons we learned from him. May he rest in eternal peace.
Paul Wright
August 12, 2020
We lost a very great man. It was my honor to know Pellom and work with him on our movie project, " Prince of Jockeys". We will continue to pursue the production of this movie in his honor. You will be missed.
Quentin Whitelaw
June 4, 2020
To the McDaniel family,
Words can never express the feeling for a lost loved on. cherise the time Pellom was with us. My Brother has gone to Those Golden Shores.
Rest In Peace My Nupe,
Gabby
Gerald Gems
May 22, 2020
So sorry to hear of Pellom's passing. He was a wonderfully gifted and so helpful to others. I always looked forward to seeing him at the sport history conferences.
Jerry Gems
Hurl Taylor
May 9, 2020
I met Pellom a few months ago when he invited me to participate in a program on African Americans and World War I He was an engaging and humble host that I never even guessed at his versatility in athletics, art, poetry and a host of other endeavors! He was easy to meet and you wanted to continue a relationship with him because of his uncanny ability to establish lasting rapport with everyone. Ironically, I tried to introduce him to an artist from New York who actually travelled to Atlanta just as the pandemic was ramping up. She departed on April 24,2020 without the knowledge of his death and some of her last words were that she would read his book and still wanted to meet him. After learning of his death through the Emory alumni communication network, I started to seek out additional information and was pleasantly surprised at the results. My initial comparison of a person in history was that of Thomas Jefferson. I saw Pellom as a more athletic version of TJ with a beautiful tan hue and the combined talents of Benjamin Banneker, Garrett Morgan, Granville Woods, George Washington Carver, Paul Roberson and a few other notable brothers! He is definitely a enduring role model and I am inspired by him to continue his work in some small, but significant way. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER and I am sure that you when you heard those words, WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, you said YES I DID! Hurl Taylor
Lee's Summit, 1993
Kevin Cooper
May 5, 2020
Way back in the early 90s, I worked for a company that manufactured food processing equipment. They sold machinery to Artic Alaska Seafoods in Seattle. On my first trip there, I was quickly introduced to Pellom, whose son had just signed with the Chiefs. Pellom II was a cool dude so I was anxious to meet his Pellom III. One fall day in 1993, I was fortunate enough to see an article in the local paper, (Lees Summit, MO), that Pellom was going to be signing autographs. I can still see the surprised look on his face when I told him that I was acquainted with this dad. Over the next 5 years I ran into Pellom 2 or 3 times. He stood out from the other players because he was a genuine good guy. He proved that, not only by the way he carried himself on the field, but by what he did off the field. Pellom stayed involved with the Kansas City community even after football. Occasionally, there would be a story pop up about Pelloms accomplishments or his involvement with the National WWI Museum, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum or various other charities and they always left me with a sense of pride. Like I said, Pellom was a genuine good guy. My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Alex Wall & Pellom
Beth Kornegay
April 29, 2020
I have to let the family know what a true gentleman and role model Pellom was to my son, Alex. When he was in kindergarten, I began taking him to visit Chiefs players at autograph signing event. I always took the opportunity to ask the player where they went to college, what they studied, and why going to college was important. Pellom's response about having a career after football always stuck with us. At the time, he was taking night classes studying history. Pellom also had a weekly Chiefs sports show that was taped at the Great Mall in Olathe. Afterwards, he signed autographs and Alex and I attended every taping of the show and always said hello afterwards. Pellom remembered Alex and called him by name which made a kiddo feel like he was VERY important. When I heard the news about Pellom's death, I called Alex (who now lives in California) to let him know. It was a sad message for both of us. God bless you and your family. Pellom was a 100% classy guy.
Diogo Pinheiro
April 29, 2020
I met Pellom almost 20 years ago, when we both were graduate students. He was one of the warmest, smartest, more remarkable people I have ever met, and I was deeply saddened when I heard of his passing. He was someone who genuinely cared about helping others and making the world a better, more just place. My thoughts are with his family. He will be greatly missed.
Dr. Kali-Ahset Amen
April 27, 2020
Pellom mentored and encouraged me as an aspiring curator. His counsel was golden, his creativity boundless, his energy infectious. I am so grateful to have had his presence in my life. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and close friends. His good work lives on in me and in the countless many, whose lives he touched for the better.
April 26, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Marc Holcomb sr
April 25, 2020
I remember Pellom as a outstanding football
player at Oregon State and the many fine defensive plays he made or was involved in.
God rest his soul, the world needs more people
like him.
April 25, 2020
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Diana Ward
April 24, 2020
My ex-husband Douglas Turner Ward, Founding Artistic Director of the famed Negro Ensemble Company, and I send our deepest sympathy to Pellom's family and colleagues and mourn his loss intensely. Pellom met us in New York some years ago when he came to my house to meet Doug and they sat in my living room talking without stopping for five hours. Following this meeting, to our great joy, Pellom collected Doug's Archive for the Rose Library. He was a gracious host to Doug and our daughter, Elizabeth, when they came to Emory for the launch of the Archive. We shall cherish his memory.
Diana Powell Ward
Mary Jackson
April 24, 2020
I was saddened to hear that cousin Pellom lll had passed away. I send my love and prayers to the family. I pray that you will find comfort, and strength in the time and memories that you shared with him.
Angela Davidson
April 24, 2020
Such a loss for our world. We met in the early 90's and became fast friends. You inspired my son To play football and he insisted on being #77 until he was a junior in high school. You pulled his first tooth. It was an honor to call you friend. Two decades later I was taking a class at UMKC and you were the professor. It was great to catch up and see you light up talking about your family and your passion for your work. You will be missed but your spirit lives on.
Stefanie Steele
April 23, 2020
Met Professor McDaniels once and briefly at Emory while visiting an exhibit he curated. I had a research question and he happily shared a ton of information for me to consider. His generous spirit will live on.
Vicki Ledbetter Metcalf
April 23, 2020
Clearly, all who knew my cousin were taken by his enthusiasm, passion for a variety of things, and genuine love of life. Yet, nothing compared to the way his eyes would light up, when talking to or talking about you, Sofia, Ellington, and Navvab. His immense love for his family was so obvious!!! My heart goes out to you. Please take care of each other.
Love is light
Tamika Strong
April 23, 2020
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. McDaniels on several occasions and was thoroughly impressed by his commitment to preserving materials related to the history of the people of African descent. He was an inspiration. We are thankful for the work he as done. Prayers and loving thoughts to those he left behind. He will be greatly missed.
Wyomia Tyus
April 22, 2020
I met Pellom about two years ago, but it seem like I known him all my life. Will miss his big welcoming smile and hug.
Elizabeth Tobey
April 22, 2020
I am so saddened and shocked to hear about the loss of Pellom McDaniels III. When I worked at the National Sporting Library in Museum in Middleburg, Virginia, Pellom was one of our John H. Daniels Fellows. He came to research the life of African-American jockey, Issac Murphy. Pellom was an expert on the history and experiences of African-Americans in sport as well as African-American war veterans. He had a great sense of humor and I was so glad to have met him. My heart goes out to his family. What a terrible loss.
Sarah Jones
April 22, 2020
Pellom was such an inspiration to all who were privileged to know him. He was a force to be reckoned with and had an infectious passion for all he did in life. I am so sad to think that he and I will never have another intellectual conversation again. I was privileged to work beside him at the Rose Library and to be able to collaborate with him to achieve some of his brilliant ideas, like the Frederick Douglass 200th anniversary reading.
Rest in power my friend and may your family feel the love the community had for you!
Viviane Warren
April 22, 2020
Pellom was a star speaker at the National Sporting Library and Museum. We will miss your intellect and power with words.
April 22, 2020
God bless. ♥ Much too young to leave this world.
Josie and Bruce Reynolds
April 22, 2020
Loving prayers and sympathy to Navvab, the children and all of Pellom's family. He will be truly missed.
Kristy Gordon
April 22, 2020
What a remarkable man. I am honored to have known Pellom and will miss him. I send prayers and love to his dear family and friends. Deepest condolences.
Karen Vorst
April 22, 2020
I am so sorry to learn of Pellom's passing. He was a giant of a man in more ways than one. It was a great privilege to know him while he was at UMKC. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family.
Bob Hovey
April 22, 2020
Pellom you will be missed. Your words were compelling. It was an honor for me to have known you.
Myron McGhee
April 22, 2020
When Pellom was a student and me a staffer at Emory, we'd give each other "the nod" that two African men on the street often exchange in passing. We traveled in different circles staff/student and he was always busy. Later the few times I would travel, I'd see this giant guy in the airport crowd and again -- "the nods" -- we'd recognize each other and chat. I ran into him at Harstfield, in KC and Washington D.C. airports. It was odd, of the thousands of people who travel what were the chances to see somebody that you knew? When he returned to Emory, as two of the few African American men working in libraries, we became friends. He encouragd my interests and used my services as a photographer at events and exhibits he curated. We commensurate with each other on the realities of working at Emory. His death, his moving on leaves such a void, such a silence in my life. I've lost a conversation partner, a colleague and a friend. I shall miss "the nods".
Kate Sisil
April 22, 2020
I have so many fond memories of Dr. McDaniels. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor. He had a kindness and ease about him that made you want to learn everything he had to teach. His passion for education came through in everything thing he did and I consider myself very lucky to have been his student. My heartfelt condolences for his family and all who knew him.
Cheryl Harman
April 22, 2020
I am sorry for the world's loss of this good man. He's with the angels now.
Henri Cross
April 22, 2020
I will always remember the night when your dear wife Navvab brought you to our home to introduce us to 'the one'! Confidence and humility rolled into one! Still, I had no idea who this giant figure of a man truly was!
You will be missed by all who knew you, and it is my profound loss to not have been able to get to know you better, dear Pellom.
My love to Navvab, your children and family.
My prayers as well.
Friends
Antonio Madrilejos
April 22, 2020
We were part of the great graduating class of 1986 Silver Creek High, San Jose CA. He was the biggest man on campus and had a huge heart to go with it. One of my fondest memories of him had to be in history class. We were sitting there waiting for class to start and I had challenged him to arm wrestle me. He accepted the challenge, although the look on his face didn't seem like it would be a challenge for him at all. I guess I just wanted to see how strong he really was. Well, I quickly found out how strong he was as he made minced meat out of me. I remember we laughed hysterically after. I have very fond memories of Pellom, whether it was playing varsity football or just hanging out being kids, he was a great person to have as a friend. Attached is a picture of us hanging out at Kathy Abe house. From left to Jerry Casillas, Denise Acosta, Myself, Richard Alvarez, Mike Cox and Pellom McDaniels. My condolences go out to his family. Rest In Peace my old friend!
Sondra Rorrer
April 21, 2020
I didn't know him and as a fellow member of the Baha'i Faith, I celebrate his life. He seems to be a wonderful example of a spiritual, intellectual, well-grounded man. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Shirley Sampson
April 21, 2020
Condolences to the family. RIH
Sharon Kennedy
April 21, 2020
Heartbroken over the loss of my friend and scholar Dr. Pellom McDaniel. I had the incredible opportunity to know and work with Pellom at Emory Libraries. I was software engineer for the Library, and he always pushed me to think bigger about how to use data and technology to make African American collections accessible via the web. He was kind and generous with his time and his many gifts.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort to the loves of his life, Navvab and the children. Rest in peace my friend. The world is better because of your big ideas, and the light and love you showed to so many.
Michael Sandago
April 21, 2020
Words can not describe the sorrow I feel. I was lucky enough to know him at Oregon State when he played football there, he was never just a football player.
Pellom was special, engaging and always one who wanted to go deeper than the surface. To find out more about who you were, what made you..you. His thirst for knowledge knew no bounds. We all are better because he was a part of our lives. Rest In Peace...
Spencer Fields
April 21, 2020
My condolences to the McDaniel Family. May you rest in heaven. Fellow teamate.
Mike Maggiore
April 21, 2020
Pellom was an outstanding teammate and even better person. Treated everyone on the team as an equal and always had time to help the younger guys. I played alongside Pellom our senior years at Oregon State. He didn't have an enemy and did things the right way. A leader in every sense of the word. I hadn't seen him for a long time but was proud of what he did with his life post football. Rest Easy my friend !!
Osia Lewis
April 21, 2020
Rip my friend
Maude Wahlman
April 21, 2020
He was such a nice man. I will miss him.
Heidi
April 21, 2020
Dear Professor McDaniels family, I knew him when he taught at the UMKC History Dept. He was a kind, friendly and compassionate man, who enjoyed teaching. I am sorry for your loss.
Heidi
Briana/Judy Walker
April 21, 2020
Navaab, I am so sorry. I knew you from when you were 6 months old, until you were 4.5 years old. Your mother, Tony, was my best friend during my Moscow, ID years.
Helma Hawkins
April 21, 2020
I had the great pleasure of working with Pellom and Navvab through
their Fish Out of Water writing clubs at the Kansas City Public Library. He was indeed a Renaissance man: a kind and gentle soul, a writer, a graduate student and a Kansas City Chiefs football player. He cared deeply about every young person who participated in the writing clubs; i had the privilege of watching him make each member feel special and respected. I send my deepest sympathy to Navvab, Ellington and Sofia, along with prayers for comfort and peace. I am honored to have had the opportunity to know both Pellom and Navvab.
J. Gregory GRIFFIN
April 21, 2020
My most sincere condolences, only wished I was afforded the privilege to have met such a remarkable and enlightened human being of his cultural essence. Such a heartfelt loss, forever etched upon my mind and in my thoughts! A real substantive impactor: WOW ...
Sheri Williams
April 21, 2020
I'm so very sorry for the enormous loss of this great man for all of us but especially for his closest loved ones! I did not know Pellom but have learned what an exceptional leader he was now that he's gone! Being a Chiefs fan, his passing has hit me hard and since then I have found all the extraordinary things he was brilliant at; speaking, writing, learning, teaching and sharing his knowledge of African Americans in sport. It is definitely my loss that I could not have known this amazing man! My deepest condolences go to his wife and children! May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing for those he loved.
Jennifer Frangos
April 21, 2020
Awfully sorry to hear this news. We were colleagues at UMKC and I admired his energy and dedication to students and community. He is greatly missed.
Chainy
April 21, 2020
Dr. McDaniels had a kind heart and a good soul. He was a talented teacher and a gifted historian.
Michael P. Harvey
April 21, 2020
Way to young, Seems like a nice man and an awesome player RIP Pelkom McDaniels III. Our prayers go out for his wife and Children. Go Chhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeessssssssssss
Clint McDuffie
April 21, 2020
Dr. McDaniels started out as a mentor and became a friend. I always thought of Dr. McDaniels as a renaissance man. He immersed himself in such an array of ideas and subjects that he could discuss for hours. I first met Dr. McDaniels when I began my doctoral program. He served as the Chair on my committee and for close to three years I had direct access to his brilliance. He was humble, confidant, passionate, and driven. Hours would pass as we debated and discussed topics. Although, I never saw his face light up as it would when he talked about his wife and kids. . .you could feel the love. It was years later I realized how much I missed that camaraderie and grew to appreciate the time he gave me more and more. The world is a better place for having had Pellom McDaniels III in it.
Eliza Lamarr
April 21, 2020
Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
I heard him speak in Lexington Ky. about his book"The Prince of Jockeys."
His legacy will continue.
Cher Holt-Fortin
April 21, 2020
Navaab and children,
thinking of you at this time.
Praying for Pellom's soul.
Torrie Shepard
April 21, 2020
Dr. McDaniels gave the best hugs. He helped me overcome my nervousness during a podcast session at The Center, and all the years we've passed each other through our respective jobs there was always a nice warm hug accompanied by warm words. My heart goes out to all of his loved ones, he will be missed.
April 21, 2020
I had the great pleasure of getting to know and work with Pellom in the last three years. He was indeed a man of great substance and brilliance. I found his depth of knowledge and keen sense of how to connect the past with the present without parallel. And to top it off, he was just a cool brother to know. He will surely be missed. Prayers to his wife Navvab and two children, Ellngton and Sofia.
Derrick Alexander Pope, J.D.
Collette Hopkins
April 21, 2020
I met Pellom when he first came to the offices of the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF). What a presence! What a love of the Arts and African American History and Culture! A true Renaissance man!
Randy Latimer
April 21, 2020
"Right now, when you hear his name, you will cry. As time passes, his name will eventually make you smile"..Viola Andrews. On behalf of the Andrews Family, I would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to the McDaniels family. Pellom was a tireless champion for my family and African American culture. Heaven just got a new historian.
Jude Davila
April 21, 2020
Pellom, May you RIP my brother. I met you at Chiefs Training camp in 1994. In 1995 we became friends and at the end of the year you gave me 1 of your jerseys which I still have. You were such a great man on and off the field. My condolences to your family. Prayers that The Lord will give them strength. RIP Pellom! Until we meet again #77!!
Dr. McDaniels, 2013, when he was a guest speaker at the Hays-Heighe House at Harford Community College in Maryland
Iris Barnes, Ph.D.
April 21, 2020
Pellom after his book signing at the Hays-Heighe House, standing with Carol Allen and Dr. Iris Barnes
Iris Barnes, Ph.D.
April 21, 2020
Dr. McDaniels III was a kind and gentle spirit. He will be sorely missed. I invited him to be a guest curator of the Hays-Heighe House at Harford Community College in Maryland in 2013. I remember when he called our site expressing interest in doing a book signing for his then pending book "The Prince of Jockeys: The Life of Isaac Burns Murphy." He was a mesmerizing speaker. He also produced a beautiful companion exhibition by the same name as his book. We were the first to display his exhibition with as part of our larger exhibition "Beauty in Sports: Celebrating Black Jockeys in Harford County, Maryland, and Beyond" and feature a book signing with his new book. He was a very talented and prolific writer, speaker, researcher, and curator. After not seeing him in years, I ran into him at the AAAM Conference in Mississippi last year (2019) on a bus to a pre-conference workshop. It was good to see him and chat and chat and chat again. We talked about collaborating on a series of traveling exhibitions. What a great man. I truly admired him and all of his accomplishments. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Warm regards--Dr. Iris Leigh Barnes
April 21, 2020
I was able to work on a project with Pellom in Kansas City. He was more than a wealth of knowledge and one of the kindest people I know. I will miss him immensely, just knowing he was always there to talk and discuss with was comforting. The universe has lost a great human being, but his soul will live on forever. Love and miss you Pellom.
Licia
Bobby Donaldson
April 21, 2020
"Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. What a legacy Dr. McDaniels leaves behind. Well Done! Grace and Peace to his family, colleagues, and students.
Thank you Pellom for considering my work worthy of note and inclusion in the Library.
Steve Allen
April 21, 2020
I am without words...I owe you a debt I can never repay.
We love you!!
Libby Gilbert
April 20, 2020
To the family of Pellom McDaniels III..Praying for all of you for Peace & Strength. R.I.P. our friend. From one of your Chiefs Fans.
Robert Langmuir
April 20, 2020
We are talking about a MAN here.... A brilliant man...
A larger than life man.....a man whose mind & spirit were constantly growing, and somewhere, early on in life he became GREAT !
I testify with all gratitude.
Robert Langmuir
April 20, 2020
We are talking about a MAN here. A brilliant man...!
A larger than life man.....A man who was constantly growing
and one day early on, somewhere along the road, became......GREAT....!
I am testifying with all gratitude......
Pellom Mcdaniels
April 20, 2020
My oldest son who I loved dearly! I will always love you , with all my heart . When you left this world oh much to some . A piece of me left with you , to never be replaced. I love you son !! Pellom jr
Larger than Life
Precious Wilcox
April 20, 2020
Pellom was my oldest brother and my hero. He will forever live in my heart. My first best friend is gone.
Travis Robinson
April 20, 2020
So sorry to hear of Pellom's passing. We here
In Central Kentucky, and specifically those of us involved with Phoenix Rising, Lex, enjoyed his visits, his knowledge and expertise, his congeniality and spirit, and will miss him dearly. Pellom's contributions to the history of
African Americans in sport have been invaluable, particularly Isaac Murphy and the other black jockeys who put horse racing on the map. We wish your family peace and prayers during this difficult time.
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