Obituaries for March 1, 2010

‘Mac’ McDaniel

‘Mac’ McDaniel

Lester Lee “Mac” McDaniel, 89, of Richland, died Feb. 25, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Health Care Center. 

There will be a military salute in his honor and graveside service this summer. The time and date will be announced later.

Lester Lee “Mac” McDaniel was born on Jan. 24, 1921, at Carrolton, Miss., to Harley and Hattie King McDaniel. He was the 10th child of 12.

Mac was raised and educated at Greenwood, Miss. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October of 1941. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal American Theatre Service Medal. He was very proud of his service and was honorably discharged in October of 1945. 

After military service, Mac went to work for Boise Cascade until his retirement in 1982. He met and married his wife, LaVera, in a quaint little church at Vancouver, Wash., in 1979. They made their home at Vancouver. For a time after his retirement, Mac was a property manager in Umatilla.

The couple eventually retired to Richland in 1989. Mac enjoyed the community of Richland, took great pride in his vegetable gardens and was an avid fisherman.

Survivors include his wife of 30 years, LaVera; stepson, David Durant of Eugene; sister, Lucille Galey of Spokane, Wash.; grandchildren, Bodhi Durant and Yati Durant; and one great-grandchild, Julian Durant.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and five sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Foundation of America through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.