Jim McDaniel
James W. "Fip" McDaniel, age 77, of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2015, at his home after a long battle with cancer.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and son. James was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He worked in the engineering field for over 50 years. In the past, he was a partner in FJM Engineers, Inc. He worked for Gabriel Chemicals and most recently was employed by Ford, Bacon and Davis.
James was a member of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America and The Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. Besides classic cars, he enjoyed photography, traveling, music, Cajun dancing, LSU and Saints football and spending time with family and friends.
James is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty McDaniel; son, Charles McDaniel and wife, Deborah; the joy of his life, his granddaughter, Isabella Faith McDaniel; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Maude McDaniel; sisters, Zada Moore, Ethel Broussard and Helen Trichel; and his brothers, Elmer, Muriel and Samuel McDaniel.
Funeral Services were held on Thursday, February 19, 2015, at 10:00 AM.
Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, officiant was Father Matt Dupre.
Interment took place at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Cemetery.
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Jim and Betty Joined the Baton Rouge Chapter, Louisiana Region and AACA 21 years ago in 1994 and have been outstanding members. Jim owned a 1929 Model-A Ford Sedan, 1949 Mercury, 1957 Chevy 2 dr Sedan and a 1960 Corvette. Jim served as President of the Baton Rouge Chapter in 1997 and 1998 (2 yrs). He served as Treasurer in 1999, 2000 and 2001 (3yrs). Jim was Secretary/Treasurer/Editor of the Louisiana Region AACA in 2001 while I was the President.
Jim and I devoted a lot of hours collecting information to compile the Louisiana Region AACA OFFICERS PROCEDURE MANUAL and amended the LOUISIANA REGION BYLAWS with the approval of the Louisiana Region Board and National AACA. We printed copies and gave to all Region Officers and Chapter Presidents.
During 2001 to save a Chapter in the Region, Jim and I called some members and set up a meeting in Houma, La. to form the Lagniappe Chapter. During that year Jim and I were Co- Directors for the 2001 Central Divisional Tour Headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. We presented an award to the AACA National President "Doug Drake" that attended the tour. Jim served as Louisiana Region President in 2003.
Many years Jim and I were Co-Directors of the Baton Rouge Fall Tours with the help of Eula and Betty. I remember in 1998 during our Fall Tour Jim was picking up the order of fruit that I had paid for and when the guy was loading it in Jim's truck, Jim told him that he must have made a mistake on the bananas, and very indignantly the guy said to Jim, No Mister, I know how to count! So Jim being the easy going, nice guy that he was, said well okay then. The guy had loaded 3 cases of bananas instead of 30 bananas that I had paid for. Some of you remember he gave out bananas at every stop, at lunches, Friday night, breakfast, Saturday Banquet and Sunday morning, it was never ending trying to get rid of all those bananas. From then on Jim was called "The BANANA MAN". The next year a lot of Louisiana Region Members were attending a National Tour in Pennsylvania Jim gave out bananas to us each morning with him being 'THE BANANA MAN". John Copes passed on the Sponsorship and Management of the Jean Ballintine Award to Jim and Betty in 2003, which they have handled every since. Jim was a very close friend of mine. We worked on some of his cars as well as mine together and shared a lot of good times together. I will miss him.
Charlie Matthews