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- From FindaGrave:
America lost another member of the "Greatest Generation." Clayton Daniel, an authentic southern gentleman, died of natural causes on February 24, 2017. Clayton was born in Millen, Georgia, to Martha Alwood Daniel and M. M. Daniel. He grew up in Millen where he excelled in academics and played wingback on the Millen High School football team. After graduating from high school, Clayton attended Georgia Military Academy (GMA) to prepare for admission to Auburn University. While at GMA, he took flight lessons and soloed at what is now Atlanta Hartsfield Airport. Clayton studied mechanical engineering at Auburn, joined Army ROTC, and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
During Clayton's junior year, he and his ROTC class got on a train in downtown Auburn and went to fight in WWII. He volunteered for airborne duty. He earned his jump wings at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and was subsequently assigned to the 101st Airborne, 326th Engineering Battalion. After airborne training, Clayton reported for duty in France in 1944. His first combat action was at the "Battle of the Bulge" in Bastogne, Belgium, as a member of the famed 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. After the Bulge, Clayton, along with others of the 101st Airborne, moved toward Germany. During this time he was wounded during a German artillery attack. He was airlifted to England and eventually back to the States. He was awarded a Purple Heart and was medically retired as a 1st Lieutenant in 1946.
During Clayton's rehabilitation he became reacquainted with his future wife Evermond Hardee of Florence, SC. They were married in 1945 and moved back to Auburn for Clayton to complete his engineering degree. After graduation in 1947, Clayton and Evermond moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he became an automotive engineer. They had two daughters, Lindsay and Penny. Their next move was to Monroe, North Carolina, where Clayton became the Vice President of Tool Service Engineering Company. He remained at Tool Service, eventually Scott Aviation, until his retirement. Clayton and Evermond became active members in the community in Monroe. They were long time members of First Baptist Church in Monroe where Clayton served in many capacities including deacon and trustee. He was a lifetime member of the Monroe Rotary Club and held every office possible. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow and was named Ideal Rotarian in 1997. He served as a civic leader in many organizations including the hospital board, Union County Library, and engineering organizations. Clayton was an avid reader, especially of military history; an accomplished photographer; and a "hunter extraordinaire" of Bob White quail.
After retiring they enjoyed traveling to visit with their children and grandchildren. Clayton was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Evermond Hardee Daniel, his parents, and his sister, Martha Daniel Bourne. He is survived by his two daughters, Lindsay Daniel Helms and Penny Daniel Cox; his son-in-law, Donald. A. Cox; 4 grandchildren, Whitney Helms, Jonathan Helms (Sarah), Daniel Cox (Courtney), Hannah Cox Hunt (Ryan); 6 great grandchildren, Jackson and Caroline Helms, Clayton (his namesake) and Caroline Cox, Braxton and Graham Hunt. He will be remembered as a devoted father, kind and gentle man, whose dedicated care of Evermond during her long illness was an example of true love.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Florence, SC, at 11 AM. Burial will be in the Covington/Hardee/Daniel family plot. Preceding the service a visitation will be held at 10 AM at Waters-Powell Funeral Home, 400 S. Dargan Street.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at Hawthorn House and Cindy Stanfill for the love and care they provided to this special man. Our gratitude goes to Dr. Wayne Justice and the staff at Twin Cities Family Practice and the staff at Twin Cities Hospital, especially Drs. Cunningham and Derby and the floor nurses for their compassionate care for both our dad and our family.
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1922 - 2017 (94 years)
