Gordon Hicks McDaniel Jr. was born July 7, 1928, in Franklin, TN and passed away on March 23, 2025.
He attended Franklin Elementary School and Battle Ground Academy where he lettered and excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a member of The National Beta Club and voted “Best all Around,” an annual award to the Senior who, in the judgement of the faculty, is the best all-around student of the year 1946.
Gordon, or Mr. Mac as he was known to his countless friends, worked on the family farm during his youthful years and maintained it following the early death of his Father. The farm is where he developed the love of animals, especially his special pet dogs, Ginger, Peggy and Peanut. As a young adult, he went to work in the Sales Department of Clements Paper Company in Nashville where he ultimately won numerous awards for his sales efforts. His entire career was spent with Clements until his retirement in 1999.
Gordon was a staunch believer in physical fitness and thoroughly enjoyed daily workouts with his friends at the Green Hills YMCA. Many of those friendships lasted for decades and helped provide much needed support during the period of his illness which preceded his passing. He was an avid fisherman and duck hunter and developed many friends who enjoyed those sports as well.
Gordon and his wife Nancy, who also loved the sport of fishing, built a lovely home on Kentucky Lake near Camden, Tennessee and regularly entertained friends and family with delicious Fish Frys served up with lots of camaraderie.
He is survived by his children Robin Wellington (Sam), Barbara Sanders (Jeff) and Gordon H. McDaniel III (Debra); grandchildren Shannon Helfenberger (Shane), Sarah Steinlein (Tim), Gordon H. McDaniel IV (Liz), Jonathan Sanders (Courtney) and Ryan McDaniel; great-grandchildren Drew, Sarah Grace, Matthew, Claire, Graham, Hudson, Annie, Virginia, Daphne, and Elliott; and Niece Colley Bowman.
Those who preceded Gordon in death include Nancy Harney McDaniel (wife of 56 years), Gordon H. McDaniel, Sr. and Frances Colley McDaniel (parents), Virginia McDaniel Bowman (sister) and Prominent Franklin Banker, Jody Bowman (nephew). Others who passed on to their Heavenly Home previously included Henry Cannon (uncle) and Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon (aunt), also known as Grand Ole’ Opry entertainer, Minnie Pearl, with whom he frequently traveled.
Donations may be made in his name to Alive Hospice or the Nashville Humane Association or the charity of your choice.
A celebration of his life will take place at a later date. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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