James R. "Jim" Daniels

1928 - 2021

James "Jim" R. Daniels
August 21, 1928 - November 23, 2021
Wichita, Kansas - James "Jim" R. Daniels, the only child of the late James "Jimmy" I. and Helen Daniels, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2021. Jim will be remembered by those he touched as a man dedicated to his family, work, and community. Although known by some of his life as "little Jimmy", in his later years he was known by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as Pops. Jim was born August 21, 1928, in Ponca City, Oklahoma where his father, a geologist, worked in oil fields located in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. In 1936 the family moved to Wichita where Jim would spend the rest of his life. He graduated from East High School in 1946 and followed his father's path by obtaining a Professional Degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1951. Soon after graduation Jim became a Lieutenant with the Army Corp of Engineers working on the construction of air bases in Arizona and California.
After his discharge in 1953, Jim worked with his father in Wichita for several years as a consulting geologist until starting D & D Drilling with Glen Dunne in 1961. The two men had some success but sold the company in 1967. Jim was then hired by Murfin Drilling Company as General Manager to oversee an expansion of Murfin's exploration activities. Jim spent the remainder of his working life with Murfin, and despite the inevitable ups and downs of the oil business, Jim and Murfin prospered. Jim was inducted into the Kansas Oilman's Hall of Fame in 2005 and was pleased to be introduced by his son Bob, also a geologist. Although Jim claimed to retire on several occasions, he always showed back up at work. Murfin was always kind enough to provide him office space. Jim truly loved working as a geologist and made sure his children had more than a basic understanding of geology. On almost every family trip Jim would stop the car at an interesting rock formation and give his children an impromptu lecture on its history.
On November 26, 1955, Jim married Patricia "Pat" Phillips and they remained happily married for over 40 years until Pat's death on August 16, 2001. Jim was a great lover of the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and quail hunter. Family trips often involved driving to Colorado for skiing in the winter and to Minnesota in the summer for water skiing and fishing. Jim taught Pat how to fly fish and would take trips to fish some of the great trout rivers in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. He loved to travel by car. For example, he thought it a great adventure when he and Pat drove around the entirety of Lake Michigan.
On December 17, 2005, Jim married his second wife, Lois Tully Gerber. The two of them continued to pursue his love of family and car travel. They had numerous adventures across the US. As he slowed down the trips became fewer, but they enjoyed their homelife together.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Lois Daniels; his five children, Kathleen (Gregg) Teel of Overland Park, KS, Bob Daniels & Carolann Alexander of The Woodlands, TX, Mike (Janet) Daniels of Scottsdale, AZ, Tim (Lori) Daniels of Dallas, TX, Colleen O'Callaghan of Wichita, KS; thirteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren with another on the way; and Lois' numerous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. All will cherish their memories of time spent with Jim and mourn his death.
Jim was always committed to helping his community. Any donations in his name to The Center of Hope or Catholic Charities would be appreciated. He also was a strong believer in donating blood and did so himself on a regular basis for most of his life. A monetary donation or a donation of blood to the American Red Cross would also be welcomed and would honor Jim's legacy.
Rosary will be at 10:30 am, Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 4, 2021, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com