MR. Michael Francis Daniels

LIFE REFLECTIONS
Michael Francis Daniels of St. Louis, Missouri was born June 28, 1952 in Macomb,
Illinois, to the union of Joseph "Joe" Daniels Jr., and Maria Jesus "Jessie"; Rios, who
preceded him in death. He was the oldest of eight children.
Michael graduated high school in 1970 from Western Illinois University
Laboratory School, in Macomb. Early in life, Michael was drawn to politics. As a young
Democrat, he went door to door handing out political messages he so much believed in.
This belief drove him to study Political Science and Philosophy at Boston College. As a
student, Michael worked for then Sen. Walter Mondale, and the Michael Dukakis
gubernatorial campaign. Michael graduated in 1976 and served as the commencement
speaker.
Michael worked with the Chicago Urban League for several years prior to earning a
Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1989. Michael was
admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990, and soon thereafter, the Missouri Bar.
Michael met Ursula Thatch, M.D., whom he married on October 26, 1991.
Attorney Michael Daniels worked with the State of Illinois Comptroller's Office and also
became an Assistant Attorney General under the Honorable Roland Buriss. Michael
also worked for the City of St. Louis, serving in the administration of the Honorable
Freeman Bosley, Jr., who served as the city's first Black Mayor.
Michael was an energetic defense attorney and consultant known for his exceptional
attention to detail. He provided case management and counsel in the state and federal
courts throughout Missouri and Illinois. Michael also fulfilled a life-long dream by running
for U.S. Congress in Missouri's 1st District in 2022.
Throughout his life Michael took a genuine interest in people, especially the
underserved, the homeless and those needing pro-bono legal services. Together,
Michael and Ursula shared a colorful and animated life filled with laughter, adventurous
travel and passionate debates amongst family and friends during their 33 years of
marriage. He also treasured precious moments and time spent with his late mother-in-
law Rosie. Michael loved golfing, sports, the news, Tik Tok and holding court - he never
met a stranger!
Michael leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Ursula; seven siblings, Anthony Daniels
(Baltimore, MD), Constancia Ginestra (Gilberts, IL), Victor Burdette Daniels (Phoenix,
AZ), Felisa Daniels (Champaign, IL), Jose Joaquin Daniels (Chicago, IL), Timothy
Douglas Daniels (Atlanta, GA.), Estella Maria Daniels (Michael Leipold) (St. Paul, MN.)
Niece Olivia and nephews Andrew, Benjamin, Nigel, Keith, Raymond, and Bryan. And
five great-nieces and nephews in Japan.
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