Obituary of James H. Daniels

Rev. James Hampton Daniels of Alva passed away August 16, 2018. He was the grandson of Alva pioneers Lonnie and Annie Dyess Daniels and the son of former Lee County Commissioner Kenneth Daniels and wife Freida Daniels. He is survived by daughters; Betty Sue Moreno (Pete) and Kathy Gail Daniels, daughter-in-law; Linda Daniels and sister; Margaret Daniels, ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; Irena Mae Daniels and his two sons; Rex Earl Daniels and Don Alan Daniels and brother; Jerry Daniels. During his youth, James spent his weekends and after school hours working on the family ranch with his dad, grand dad and brother. Frequently his cousins Billy and Sammy Sylvest would join them for a summer of work and youthful high-jinx which resulted in life time bond of brotherhood. James married his high school sweetheart, Irena Mae Gomez, shortly after she graduated from high school. Before long, their family of two became a family of six. As his children grew, he felt a different sense of responsibility to his family. They as a family joined the Church of God and ultimately, he became an ordained minister for the Church of God. Irena contributed to his ministry by playing the organ and assuming the many duties of a preacher's wife. They were a powerful couple and served in many area churches: Alva, North Fort Myers, Chokoloskee, Vero Beach, Lake Placid and LaBelle. James brought a unique ability to his parishioners. Not only was he their spiritual leader, he became a lifetime friend. Many times, James played his guitar and sang gospel music as part of his sermon. Music and good humor and a little bit of that boyhood mischief were interwoven into his social and church life. And he was a great story teller and oral historian; all told with a measure of humor. James two passions in life were his family, especially Irena, and his church family. He will be missed by all of them. Daughter-in-law Linda Daniels attended James and Irena the last three years of their lives. The family is deeply appreciative of the gift of love she gave to them and us. Visitation is10:00 AM at the Alva Church of God, Monday August 20, 2018. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM with Reverend Jacob Newman officiating. Interment will be in the Alva Cemetery. Arrangements by Akin-Davis Funeral Home in LaBelle.»(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line