Sammy Mcdaniel

Sammy Gene McDaniel, 73, of Monahans, passed away Thursday, October 15, 2015 at Medical Center Hospital. He was born April 12, 1942 in Paris, TX to Walter Q. and Mary Louise (Taylor) McDaniel.

He grew up in Kermit and then moved to Wickett. On November 8, 1962, he married Diane Brantley. They started their family and established his company, Brantley Trucking. He attended First Methodist Church of Wickett and First Baptist Church of Monahans. They moved to Monahans in 1980. Along with owning Brantley Trucking, Sammy currently served as Director of Tejas Bank.

He enjoyed riding his Harley, "fixing" things, traveling in his RV, and bragging about his grandkids to anyone would listen. He was a thinker - notorious for problem-solving. He invented "gadgets" (some of which he probably could have patented), and even creating spontaneous jokes, poems or songs to fit any occasion. Sammy never backed down from a challenge. On the job, you couldn't tell who was the owner or the employee; he worked as hard as his best hands. Some of Sammy and Diane's best times were spent traveling all over the U.S. with a group of their bowling buddies. A bowling tournament meant an opportunity to see new places and spend time with dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Mary Louise McDaniel; sisters, Jane Armstrong and Mary Ellen VanCleave; and in-laws, Henry and Kelly Brantley.

Sammy is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Diane McDaniel of Monahans; son, Kent McDaniel and wife, Debbie of Monahans; daughter, Melanie Bruns and husband Robert of Katy; sister, June Blair of Odessa; brother-in-laws, Larry Brantley and Donny Brantley, both of Houston; and 5 grandchildren, Brantley McDaniel, Kelly McDaniel, Catherine Bruns, Daniel Bruns, and Amelia Bruns.

Viewing will be Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9 AM - 8 PM and Sunday, October 18, 2015 from 2 - 8 PM at Harkey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for visitation Sunday from 4 - 6 PM. Funeral services will be Monday, October 19, 2015 at 1 PM at First Baptist Church with Pastor Beth Harrington and Dr. Charles Inman officiating. Burial will follow at Monahans Memorial Cemetery.