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DAVID DANIEL Obituary
WILSON, NORTH
CAROLINA AND
SORRENTO, MAINE
The bells tolled at The Church of the Redeemer in Sorrento, Maine on July 20, 2012, honoring our beloved David and the Holy Trinity, and he was embraced by the family and friends he loved so much.
Born on April 4, 1960, in Wilson, North Carolina, Judge Daniel received his B.A. and J.D. degrees from Wake Forest University in 1982 and 1985, respectively, serving on the Wake Forest University Law Review from 1983 to 1985. Judge Daniel was admitted to practice in North Carolina in 1985 and was a member of the bar of the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina and the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. In August of 1985, he joined the law firm of Sanford, Adams, McCullough & Beard in Raleigh, North Carolina. He clerked under North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Browning and became a partner in the law firm of Howard, Browning, Sams, Poole, Hill & Daniel in Greenville, North Carolina in December of 1986. Subsequently, he served as Law Clerk to United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard from 1988 to 1989. He returned to Raleigh in 1989, and re-joined Parker, Poe, Adams & Bernstein, L.L.P. (successor firm to Sanford, Adams, McCullough & Beard).
Judge Daniel was selected as Clerk of Court for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina in August of 1992, and served in that capacity until being appointed a United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina in September of 2003. In 2011, he was reappointed to serve a second term as Magistrate Judge. Judge Daniel's "mantra" in life was "make a difference," and he did so in his role as a United States public servant, where he worked with extreme dedication, the utmost integrity, and a tireless work ethic.
Judge Daniel served in the North Carolina National Guard from 1989 to 2011, as the staff judge advocate for the 60th Troop Command. He received numerous medals and commendations including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the National Guard Commendation and Achievement Medals.
Judge Daniel was a member of and Lay Reader for St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Wilson, North Carolina. He was also a member of The Church of the Redeemer in Sorrento, Maine, where he served on the church committee and was a trustee for the Village Improvement Association. He volunteered as the assistant coach for the Ravenscroft Junior Varsity Tennis Team and as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scouts of America, Troop 6, Wilson, North Carolina. He was also a frequent and sought-after speaker at CLE programs. An avid reader, an accomplished tennis player, and a duck hunter, Judge Daniel will be remembered not only for his strength, courage, and persistence in fighting a rare form of cancer, but also for his genuine care and concern for others and his perceptive, intelligent, calm, loving, compassionate, humorous, and witty manner.
Judge Daniel was predeceased by his father Robert Harris Daniel and is survived by his mother, Mrs. Robert Harris Daniel of Greenville, North Carolina; his wife Elizabeth Mitchener Daniel and two sons, Robert Harris Daniel II and David Mitchener Daniel of Wilson, North Carolina; his sister and brother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. John Paul Bullock, Jr., of Richmond, Virginia, and their children: Paul and his wife Rachel, Daniel and Eliza; and his brother and sister-in-law Dr. and Mrs. Robert Harris Daniel, Jr. of Greensboro, North Carolina.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina with private interment preceding at Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church in Wilson, North Carolina. A memorial service was held at The Church of the Redeemer in Sorrento, Maine on July 24, 2012.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to: The Church of the Redeemer, Post Office Box 123, Sorrento, ME 04677; St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 202 North Goldsboro Street, Wilson, NC 27893; or Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest, VA 22989.
Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for DAVID DANIEL
Carol Dalenko
August 19, 2012
In honor of Magistrate Daniel's detailed and yet concise decisions in cases by orders stating the uncontested facts, applicable law, contentions of the parties, and how the facts and law support his decision, I propose that orders and judgments reflecting his thought and care be labled "a Daniel order" or "a Daniel judgment". You had far to go, Your Honor, and you left us too soon.
Carol Dalenko
August 17, 2012
Magistrate Daniel presided with extraordinary dedication to what is just and proper. His passing strikes a tragic blow.
Miller Sigmon
August 17, 2012
I met Dave in 1986 at the Sanford Adams firm..He was always willing to help..He was a fine person;he will be missed..Miller Sigmon
Gaston Williams
August 2, 2012
His calm, intelligent, mischevious ... yet judicial voice will be greatly missed. He treated all with dignity and respect. He was an honor to know and a pleasure to appear before.
Michael James
August 1, 2012
Although I did not know Judge Daniel as well as many others, I appeared before him a number of times and his kindness of spirit, fairness, and respect for all was always evident. May God comfort you in this time with the knowledge that so many others loved and respected him.
Mary-Hannah Taft
July 29, 2012
Elizabeth dear,my heartfelt sympathy and love goes out to you and your sons.David will be missed by all who knew him.He possessed a gentle,loving spirit and made all those around him feel special and appreciated.We treasure our memories of him as a young man when he lived in Greenville,N.C.
You remain in my heart and prayers.
Linda D. Ruffin
July 27, 2012
Elizabeth and boys, I've known Judge Daniel since 1988 - he will be missed but will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Paul Derrick
July 26, 2012
The world was a better place with Judge Daniel in it.
Donna Rudd
July 26, 2012
The Lord puts special people on this Earth to show others how to live and Judge Daniel was one of those people. His wife Elizabeth is also one! They put others before themselves and always see the good in a difficult situation. I'm thankful that I had the chance to work with Judge Daniel and feel blessed to have his friendship! I send comfort and strength to Elizabeth, the boys and the family.
Yvonne Watford-McKinney
July 26, 2012
So warm and caring, so loving, so fair-minded, so courageous. That's Judge Daniel. He will be profoundly missed.
Cindy Popkin-Bradley
July 25, 2012
Judge Daniel always demonstrated the highest form of wisdom which is kindness.
Faye Fulk
July 25, 2012
I am shocked to read about Judge Daniel. I knew him as a law student at Wake Forest Law School when I worked in the Career Services Office. I worked with him in getting some of his law clerks after he became a judge also. He was a joy to know and was always a true gentleman.
Donna Daniel Cooke
July 25, 2012
Rae, Betsy and Harris, Very sorry to read about David. I met him once and enjoyed our conversation. Didn't see you when daddy (Fred) died and haven't talked to any other relatives except Jim (Marshall's). I would very much like to visit with you. You can contct me at [email protected]. Again I am so very sorry about David.
S. Fay Arnold
July 25, 2012
It is always difficult to deal with the loss of a love one. There is consolation in knowing that Judge Daniel has the hope of living forever without sickness, pain or death. There is also consolation in knowing that those who love and miss him will have the opportunity to see him again on this earth when it becomes a paradise. This is a solid promise from our heavenly father. Stay firm, encourage one another and look forward to seeing your dear love one again soon.
Hugh Stevens
July 25, 2012
Elizabeth and family,
Please know that David will be sorely missed and that his memory will be cherished by all of us who knew and worked with him at "SAMB," St. Michael's, and elsewhere.
Ironically, Marilyn and I will be in Maine on August 3 and thus unable to attend the memorial service in Wilson. We will lift a glass to his life and memory that day.
God's peace and love to you and your family.
Toni Paoletta
July 25, 2012
Judge Daniel had a way of brightening any room he entered. His laughter was contagious and his optimistic attitude was infectious. The world lost a great man but God gained an amazing angel. God Bless his family and all of us he left behind. I'll miss you Judge Daniel. Thanks for being my friend.
Susan Edwards
July 25, 2012
My heart aches over the loss of Judge Daniel. He gave me the opportunity of a life time being hired by the court and for the past 17 years has been a wonderful mentor and friend. It was always a pleasure working with him in the courtroom and around the office. His sense of humor and caring nature will be sorely missed. He will always remain in our hearts and will be deeply missed forever. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of sorrow.
Sue Towe
July 25, 2012
I'm so sorry to hear about Judge Daniel's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Scott Weltz
July 25, 2012
David always disliked my calling him my "mentor" in the National Guard. I proudly still say it. And, David, if you still don't like it, we can take it up later.
Don Mial
July 24, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of David. He was a great friend and an outstanding soldier and lawyer. I will always remember the time we served together in the North Carolina National Guard.
John Logan
July 24, 2012
This is heart-breaking news. David's and my paths intersected often for 26 years or more, and, though they did not cross nearly often enough, we each considered those days as among our best, and as if only a few had passed since the last. David was a gentleman of rare integrity and even more rare spirit, and I am much richer to have been blessed with his friendship. I pray that you will feel the Lord's comfort and love at this difficult time, and that you will freely and joyfully share all those wonderful blessed memories, not only with those who share those memories of knew David but with others who didn't. A measure of any person is how they make others feel, and David never failed to make me feel wonderful and happy.
Blessings to all of you.
Delsia Heath
July 24, 2012
The court family has lost a very wonderful and caring person. Judge Daniel will be greatly missed. With deepest sympathy.
Susan Tripp
July 24, 2012
Judge Daniel was a wonderful man. I feel very fortunate that I was able to work with him and train with him in the courtroom. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of sorrow.
Slade Trabucco
July 23, 2012
Judge Daniel was a gentleman and a class act. He will be remembered for his kindness to counsel, courtroom staff, and his fairness. He will be missed for many years to come. My prayers go out to his family.
Tori Clement Garrett
July 22, 2012
Elizabeth and boys, my heart aches with you and prays for you in the loss of your dear David. My life was blessed by our early friendship in Greenville. I love that our lives intersected again at Weddings, Camp Rockmont, etc. He was always quick with a smile and hug. Lifting up love and comfort to all of you.
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