Gerald (Gerry) Glen McDaniel, 85, departed this world on January 25, 2026 in Brownwood, TX. Visitation will be hosted at Heartland Funeral Home in Early on February 2nd from 12 – 1:30pm, burial will follow at the Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early at 2pm.
Gerry was born to his parents Bernard and Lennie (Nunn) McDaniel on October 14, 1940, in Hidalgo County, TX at home on Mile 3, north of Mercedes. He was blessed with a brother, and future farming partner, Dennis Dwayne, “Butch”, just four years later.
His love for Jesus would carry him throughout his life, and he was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Weslaco around the time he attended middle school.
He graduated from Weslaco High School in 1958, being the youngest in his class, and alongside his sweetheart, Sandra Gail Purl.
The two married about a year later on June 5, 1959 and thus started their long, adventurous life together.
Gerry joined the farming business with his dad, in Mercedes. His love of farming took him all over Texas and deep into Mexico. He spoke and read Spanish fluently. A few farms he worked with were LaMantia-Callum-Collier and Plantation Produce where he managed crops of almost every category. He even ran the packing sheds where they would pack vegetables on ice by the truckloads. He grew many varieties of peppers but would not eat a single one – he preferred an onion.
He met his very dear and lifelong friends, Joe Bob and Melody Wells in the process. Gerry had a warm and friendly demeanor about him that led to connections everywhere he went.
His green thumb extended into his own family as they welcomed five children of their own.
Laura Lynn in 1961, Melinda Gail in 1962, Stephanie Denise in 1965, Steven Glen in 1967, and Melissa Suzanne in 1972.
He was a devoted husband and father. Whatever activities their children were involved with, Sandra and Gerry were all in with them.
Gerry even received recognition for being a dedicated 4H leader, while supporting all of his kids in their numerous interesting projects.
Gerry, Sandra and their 5 children made the decision to move from the Rio Grande Valley area to O’Donnell in 1976 at the influence of their family friends, the Eakers, for new farming opportunities. This would set roots for some of their children and grandchildren in the future.
After various business endeavors, Gerry would open his own produce business in Kerrville. It was called Jerry’s Farm to Market. Yes, Jerry with a J because it looked better on the sign, he said.
To keep himself busy after retirement, Gerry had an abundance of small jobs to pass his days. He drove the school bus for O’Donnell ISD. He loved any occasion he could see his children and grandchildren that lived there. Gerry was always willing to lend a hand where it was needed. He had the experience of pulling a shower and laundry trailer with the Texas Baptist Men, a disaster relief organization, for the First Baptist Church O’Donnell.
He also ran a cotton tarping crew for the Woolam gin, but one of his favorite things to join in on at the gin was to drink coffee and play dominoes with his friends.
Gerry loved nothing more than to show his support at whatever sporting event or activity his grandkids did. He wore many different colors of school spirited attire over the years.
He founded an “elite coffee drinking club”, as he called it, at El Flamingo in Brady, following its closure, it was moved to the McDonalds. He and its members discussed the current affairs of the world.
In 2022, he and Sandra made one final move from Brady to Brownwood to be closer to loved ones.
Gerry was not one to enjoy a drink after a long day but rather a bowl of bluebell ice cream. He loved German chocolate cake, a cold Dr. Pepper, along with any homemade treat or meal that Sandra made throughout the years. He enjoyed listening to Charley Pride, going to church and he was the unofficial designated person to say the blessing at family gatherings.
Gerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sandra, daughter Laura Wright and husband Charles, of Midlothian, daughter Melinda “Lindy” Brewer and husband Randy of May, daughter Stephanie Griffin and husband Travis also of May, son Steven “Stevie” McDaniel and wife Mara of O’Donnell and daughter Melissa “Missy” Vaughn and husband Greg of Brownwood. Grandchildren, Brady (Becky) Wright, Valerie (Nick) Hughes, Benton (Tammy) Wright, Cody (Erika) Griffin, Nathan (Christy) Hoy, Amanda (Daniel) Brereton, Bailey (Nick) Vuicich, Nick (Lauren) Hoy, Hunter (Kelsey) Petsch, Meredith (Gus) Petsch, Zack Vaughn, Austin (Vashti) Griffin, Alexandra McDaniel, Avery (Crimson) Vasquez, and Tyler (Lainee) Vaughn and numerous great-grandchildren that brought him immense joy. Brother, Dwayne “Butch” McDaniel of Rockport, brother-in-law, Henry Gordon Purl Jr. of Kerrville, plus a very large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Lennie McDaniel, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gordon and Thelma Purl, and sister-in-law Becky Purl.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net