Thomas Edward "Ted" Daniel

1928 - 2021

Thomas "Ted" Edward Daniel

Camarillo - Thomas "Ted" Daniel took his final flight peacefully from this earth on April 8, 2021 at age 92 in Camarillo, CA. He was born to Desmond & Elizabeth Daniel on October 21, 1928 in Chicago, IL & spent his childhood in El Paso, TX. He graduated from El Paso High School in 1946 & attended North Texas Agricultural College & Texas College of Mines. He joined the Air Force in 1950 & achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant as a fighter pilot in the Korean War. He was stationed at Oxnard Air Force Base after returning from the war. This is where he met his future bride & love of his life, Vicky, at a Welcome Home party at Silver Strand Beach.

Ted was an avid & talented pilot, retiring from Continental Airlines as a commercial pilot after 33 years. He was Captain Daniel for his last 24 years at Continental. In his leisure time, Ted spent many hours in his sailplane & his Beechcraft Bonanza. He loved flying in the National Soaring competitions with his sailplane. He loved playing golf with the Las Posas Country Club golf team & snow skiing with his family. While stationed in Hawaii, he discovered his love for running. This led to a decade of running many marathons & extreme race competitions.

Ted & Vicky enjoyed traveling, especially cruising. They also looked forward every year to his annual 52 Charlie Squadron reunion. Ted loved his community and served in many organizations, including Pleasant Valley Lions Club, Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Company & Pleasant Valley Boys Baseball Association. He assisted in building two baseball fields at Monte Vista School & helped organize the World Series for Boys Baseball. He also served as a board member, past KeyMan/past Governor of The Quiet Birdmen. Ted served in many capacities as a member of the Pleasant Valley Historical Society & was honored with the title of "Don."

Faith & service was extremely important to Ted, as he was a tremendous supporter of St. Columbus Church. He worked tirelessly — behind the scenes — building the Labyrinth & completing other projects that often went unnoticed. He served in the food ministries — using his truck to shop & pick up food at Food Share.

To his family, Ted was Dad or Grampa with his sparkling blue eyes & easy smile. He had a quick wit & a great curiosity about the world. He was always engaged with his family & friends & was a great conversationalist on just about any subject. He led a rich, full life, surrounded by friends & family. He will be missed by all who knew & loved him.

Ted is survived by his wife of 66 years, Vicky; daughters Kathy (John) Kelley, Tracy (Randy) Marsh, & son Jim (Anne) Daniel, 5 grandchildren & 5 great grandchildren. Services will be held at St Columbus Church, 1251 Las Posas Road, Camarillo on June 19 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Pleasant Valley Historical Society or St Columbus Church.