Sam "Jesse" Daniels

1936 - 2025

Sam "Jesse" Daniels

January 21, 1936 - October 10, 2025

Augusta, Kansas - Sam "Jesse" Daniels was born January 21, 1936 in Udall, KS. He grew up on a farm near Rock, KS and graduated from Douglass High School where he excelled in sports, earning a wrestling scholarship to Kansas State University and becoming a lifelong K-State fan. His love for his high school sweetheart, Joyce (Pierce), outweighed his love for K-State though, and he left school and began working in the aircraft industry in Wichita so they could get married. They had 67 wonderful years as husband and wife. Always industrious, he later returned to college, attending evening classes for five years while working full time and raising three young children. He earned his degree in Accounting from WSU. He then worked as a controller at several professional jobs, most notably at Associated Grocers in Wichita for 18 years. Jess was a "jack of all trades," able to fix most anything that broke. He loved being outdoors, gardening, hunting, fishing, coaching sports or playing himself. He was a big fan of high school sports, attending many AHS games over the years, especially those his own kids were competing in. Being a lifelong competitor, he closely followed both K-State and WSU sports, where he loved the players but nearly always challenged the refs' unfavorable calls. A faithful and active member of the First Baptist Church of Augusta, he served on various committees, doing everything from serving as church treasurer to helping with the youth group, and even mowing the church lawn. He was a longtime member of the local Lions club and served on the Augusta City Council for 10 years. On October 10, 2025, Jesse went to be with the Lord just short of his 90th birthday. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents, Tom and Beryl Daniels, brother Dick Daniels, and sisters, Tom Ella Polk, Gay Myers, and Ann Young. He is survived by two daughters, Sande (Don) Yentes of Windsor, CO, and Barbara Daniels of Augusta, and a son, Jeff Daniels of Andover. He will also be missed by his five grandchildren: Morgan (Bobby) Larsen of Ft. Morgan, CO; Dylan (Amanda) Yentes of Douglas, WY; Chase (Kristen) Daniels of Wichita; Adam (Jaci) Daniels, and Claire Daniels, all of the greater Kansas City, MO area, along with his nine great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2025 at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Augusta. Burial will be Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to the Augusta Lions Club, P.O. Box 515, Augusta, KS 67010 or First Baptist Church, 1501 State Street, Augusta, KS 67010.