John Edward Daniels

1953 - 2025

John Edward Daniels (October 31, 1953 - November 26, 2025), 72, passed away at his home in Napa on November 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, following complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Born on October 31, 1953, at Parks Victory Hospital in Napa, John was the son of John (Jack) Francis Daniels and Hazel "Marie" McDaniel Daniels. He grew up in St. Helena, attending local schools and graduating in 1971. Photography and movies were a significant part of his high school years. Trick photography and films he created with friends were even used in a class taught by Mr. Ainsley at St. Helena High School. He later studied at both Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College.

John began his career at Safeway, where he worked for five years before moving into the construction industry. Over the years, he worked for various contractors, steadily advancing to the roles of job superintendent and project manager. His final and most memorable professional chapter was with Harlan Estate Winery in Oakville, where he worked directly under Bill Harlan as his project manager. His artistic skill and attention to detail as a master carpenter made him the ideal person to oversee the construction of both the Harlan Estate winery and the owner's residence, projects he took great pride in managing.

In November 1976, John married Deborah Granger. They were married for 35 years and together raised two children: John Granger Daniels, born in 1982, and Claire Marie Daniels, born in 1986.

In 2012, John met Kathy Silsby Fullner. They married in 2014 in the backyard of their home in St. Helena. Shortly afterward, they moved to Napa. Together, they enjoyed traveling-especially spending time in Hawaii and visiting his children and grandchildren in Oregon. They also traveled to England and Scotland, including a memorable tour of his ancestors' home, Dudley Castle, in Dudley, England.

John lived life with energy, humor, and a love for the outdoors. He was an avid snow skier, water skier, and hiker. He fished for sturgeon in the San Francisco Bay, trolled for fish in Lake Tahoe and Lake Berryessa, and spent many fishing trips with his brother Ron and friends Buster Williams, Ed Sweezey, and Brian Steele. Fishing was his greatest lifelong hobby besides water skiing. John took divers to Lake Berryessa to find the Monticello Bridge; he was able to locate it on his radar and show them where to dive. Drawn to the water, he owned several boats throughout his life and spent countless joyful days on Lake Berryessa, Lake Tahoe, Lake Shasta, and many other favorite destinations. He was also a licensed private pilot. In 1997, John climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and toured the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania with his son, Johnny. His sense of adventure, his kindness, and his remarkable sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

John is survived by his wife, Kathy Daniels; his son, John Daniels (Lindsay), and their children, Wyatt and Emmett Daniels; and his daughter, Claire Daniels. He is also survived by his stepson Matthew Fullner (Juell) and their children Simon, Jack and Willa; and stepdaughter Michelle Fullner Brown (Stan), and their children, Ella and Hazel. He is survived as well by his sister, Leila Johns (Alfie), and his sister-in-law, Barbara Daniels and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Peggy Tippett and his brother, Ron Daniels.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM on December 20, 2025, at Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel, 2383 Napa-Vallejo Highway, Napa, CA 94558.

The family would like to thank the staff at Nazareth Rose Garden of Napa-Shanti in particular-for helping them through this journey. Special thanks to Dr. Chandra Keebler, John's memory doctor at Kaiser Vallejo, who was there for him every step of the way. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer's research.