Colin Ryan McDaniel

Colin Ryan McDaniel was born on March 19, 1984 in Bedford, Texas and passed away on November 11, 2025 in Meridian, Idaho at the age of 41

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Albert McDaniel.

Colin is survived by his parents Karen Gae (Bolton) McDaniel and Michael Clark McDaniel; sister, Heather Kathleen McDaniel; brother, Michael Christian McDaniel, all of North Richland Hills, Texas; brother, Joel Evan McDaniel and wife Johanna of Ohio; Marcia McDaniel (widow of Thomas) of Waco,Texas; nieces and nephews Ainsley, Glyn, Juliey, Samuel, Charlotte, Hannah, and James; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.

Final words are by John Cox, Vietnam Veteran and Colin’s uncle.

Colin will be laid to rest after a committal service with Marine Honors at 1:00 P.M., Friday, December 5, 2025 at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.

Colin was delivered in Northeast Community Hospital in Bedford, Texas on March 19, 1984. He was a big baby and his pediatrician dubbed him “Bruiser.”

Kindergarten through 5th grade were at Mullendore Elementary in North Richland Hills. For 6th grade through 12th grade he was given the opportunity to join his older brothers at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Worth. There he participated in many extracurricular activities. Colin played trombone in the Concert and Jazz Bands. His senior year the Jazz Band won in State competition. He loved sports and played football, basketball, and baseball. Academically he was, in his mother’s words, a “so/so” student, not because of lack of ability but because of excessive sociability. Mom was in the principal’s office more than she liked to discuss his behavior.

Colin’s senior year was 2001 - 2002. On September 11, 2001 he came home from school and declared he was intent on going into the military. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 2002 shortly before he graduated high school. He left for basic training in the fall of 2002. In the Corp he served a tour in Djibouti, Africa followed by two active combat tours in Iraq as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle crewman and a final tour in Iraq as a Military Policeman. He achieved the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged in 2010.

Colin was married and divorced twice, having no children. He worked in several positions in the hospitality industry. For two years he was an industrial electrician. In his later life he developed a love for art and demonstrated an innate ability to draw. Mom, Dad, and siblings were stunned as this seemed to come out of nowhere. He was genuinely talented, participating in art shows and selling several pieces. After his death a friend that owns an art gallery in Dallas contacted his family to let them know he had sold two pieces but had lost contact with Colin and could not let him know.

In April of 2024 Colin left Texas and settled in Idaho. A veteran’s organization there helped him settle into a new life. He was doing well. His apartment manager told his family he was the kindest person she had ever known and he was beloved by his neighbors. His final months were peaceful and happy. Be at rest, Marine!

Colin will be laid to rest at 1:00 P.M., Friday, December 5, 2025 at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.