John Newton Daniel

DANIEL, John Newton, of Williamsburg, passed away on September 27, 2007. Born March 15, 1922 in Cruz Alta, Brasil, he was the son of Rev. Jerome Walter and Mrs. Maggie Lee Daniel. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jerome Walter and James Manly Daniel, and daughter, Rebecca Hood. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Catherine Thonesen Daniel; his son, Dr. Jerome Madsen and Mrs. Jeannine Hurford Daniel; four grandchildren, David Michael Mann, Christopher Lee Hood, John Ellwood Daniel, and Laura Catherine Daniel. Mr. Daniel grew up in Brasil, where his parents were missionaries, and in El Paso, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, with a degree in electrical engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. He worked at the Naval Weapons Station through 1959, then worked at NASA for many years. There he set up tracking stations around the world for Project Mercury. He also worked on the rocket reentry systems. Mr. Daniel was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, where he served as a member of the Board of Trustees. He was also a member and past president of the Williamsburg Exchange Club. He was a member and past president of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Mr. Daniel's family is most proud of his greatest accomplishment: he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A funeral service will be held Monday, October 1, 2007, in the Williamsburg United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Williamsburg United Methodist Church Mission Support, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Va. 23185. Bucktrout of Williamsburg is in charge of arrangements.