Bud McDaniel

Edgar Lawson McDaniel was born on September 16, 1929, near present-day Fish Hatchery Road and Business 121, and joined his Maker on January 29, 2026, at the age of 96. In doing so, heaven gained an ox of a worker and an even kinder soul. Better known as "Bud," he knew no enemies, and if eye contact was made, you could anticipate an incoming bear-of-a handshake and hug.

Bud was a lifelong Lewisville resident and almost as old as the town itself, missing the city's founding by just three years. He was the second of seven children born in a farmhouse to Mary and Glen McDaniel. Energetic, playful, and responsible at an early age characterized his upbringing. Life on the farm meant early mornings and productive days - traits that he carried with him his entire life. Phone conversations usually started with, "Have you made a showing?" and ended with "Go make a showing".

He left school after finishing the tenth grade to help on the family farm, and although he never formally graduated, he possessed the equivalent of a PhD in hay-baling-wire engineering and could easily author a book on how to patch a patch. There was nothing Bud could not repair without a healthy strand of wire. Evidence of baling wire's durability, when applied with his surgical precision, can be found everywhere around the family farm in Old Town Lewisville. It's the bulk of the fabric holding together the remnants of the Borden Milk dairy barn where he worked growing up. No machine, fence, or structure was immune from its use.

During the late 1940s, he met the love of his life and future bride, Dorothy "Dot" Brown. After stiff competition from his brother Charles, Bud eventually won over Dot's heart on account of his "superior dancing and kissing skills." They were married on December 9, 1950, and went on to raise three children: Greg, Bryan, and Janet.

Despite the long days on the farm and being a recent newlywed, he still found time to serve his country. During the Korean War, he served honorably from 1951 to 1953. His experience on the farm proved useful to the Army, where he spent the majority of his time as an instructor on heavy equipment. He was an extremely proud veteran, and you could usually find his Korean War vet hat either on his head or within reach.

Following his time in the Army, Bud returned to North Texas and began work at Chance Vought servicing Corsair aircraft. Looking for something closer to Lewisville, he found work at Huffines Chevrolet and as a volunteer Lewisville Fireman. His outgoing personality, even temper, and cordial nature made him a natural fit for leadership. He enjoyed 33 years serving his local community at the Huffines location leading the service department and then the body shop culminating in his retirement in 1992.

During retirement, Bud enjoyed dancing, traveling with friends, and spending time with his grandkids. He was extremely active in the Senior Citizens Dance club in Carrollton where he routinely danced 3 times a week.

One of his greatest joys was being at his farm in Lewisville. A true farmer at heart, he knew every inch of his property that was the old dairy where he worked as a kid. Pecan trees he planted and grafted as a teenager were now fully established and yielding fruit. It wasn't uncommon for him to hand-pick over 500 pounds of pecans to distribute to friends and neighbors. Bud spent every day caring for his cows and keeping the land in pristine condition well into his 90s.

In Bud's last few years, he spent time as a resident of The Oaks in Flower Mound. He continued to carry his same zest for life, positive attitude, and loving soul until his last days. He was a fan favorite among the staff. The care and love he was shown was unmatched, and he will be missed by his caretakers and other residents.

Leaving everyone with a few "Bud-isms," he would kindly request that you wake up every day and "make a showing," seize opportunities, be kind, and remember, "We have a lot to be thankful for."

Preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Mary and Glendon; and siblings Emma Jean, Charles, and Eula May.

Survived by his children and spouses: Greg and Ann McDaniel, Bryan McDaniel, and Janet and Barry Ellison; five grandchildren: Keith, Mindy, Molly, Jessica, and Aiden; 18 great-grandchildren; siblings Evelyn and Gilbert; along with several precious nieces and nephews.

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