Smyrna Rotary Club
mourns the loss of its charter member and dear friend, Joseph D. Daniel. The following tribute is from our own Roy Strickland, District 6900 District Governor.
by DG Roy Strickland
J.D. Daniel was a Rotarian every day of his life since December 1963.
J.D. loved Rotary.
He was proud to be a Rotarian - and he lived the Four-Way Test. He set an example for the members of Smyrna Rotary. We could feel J.D.’s steady influence on our Rotary Club.
I joined Smyrna Rotary in 1996. At one of my first meetings, I was seated at a table with J.D. and every so often I would be distracted - as was our speaker - by the shrill whistle of J.D.'s hearing aid. J.D. was the only one in the room that did not hear that whistle.
But it was J.D. - and no one would say a word. We'd rather hear that whistle than take a chance of J.D. not hearing the speaker.
I came to know J.D. better as time passed. He was always cheerful and always had a good word for me. He would come to Rotary, Rain or Shine. Eventually, he would come to Rotary in his wheelchair.
J.D. took his Rotary obligation seriously. He did not miss meetings - and he didn't much care for anyone else missing a meeting, either. He believed a good Rotarian honors his/her commitments – and J.D. was a good Rotarian.
When J.D. would return from vacation - or an illness - he would come back to Rotary and he would press his makeups into my hand - and let me know he still had perfect attendance for the year. J.D.’s daughter told me yesterday, “When the family went on vacation, one of Daddy’s first things to do on arrival, was to find a Rotary Club for his makeup. He loved Rotary.”
J.D. was a constant in the Smyrna Rotary Club. He had his own table. He had his own spot. He was always there. We all looked up to J.D. with respect.
There were Rotarians that grew up in Smyrna and knew J.D. when both he -and they- were much younger. Some, worked at the grocery store. Some knew him for other reasons. All, had stories to tell. All, respected J.D. and would share that with others of us as we came into Smyrna Rotary.
In 1997-1998, I was elected President of Smyrna Rotary and on J.D.'s 81st birthday our club presented him a Paul Harris Fellowship. I had the pleasure of making that presentation. My wife, Suzanne was at that meeting and she pointed out to me that J.D. held that PHF in his hands for the entire meeting - never putting it down.
Our club honored him that day - and he was truly touched. And he would be touched by seeing his Rotary Family gathered here in such numbers today. When Mrs. Daniel passed away a few years ago, I visited this funeral home and J.D. pulled me aside and asked me to help arrange a Paul Harris Fellowship in her memory. We did so that very day and I think that comforted J.D.
As I have traveled the state as District Governor - I have had the opportunity to meet many fine Rotarians- but I didn't have to go very far to meet one of my favorites. He was right here in Smyrna. I think it is especially fitting that the family has seen fit to honor J.D.'s memory with gifts to The Rotary Foundation. There will be many good works made possible by those gifts. J.D. would like that. J.D. brought his son, Steve, into Rotary. As J.D.’s health failed, Steve would make certain his Daddy got to the meetings and had what he needed to enjoy the day of Rotary. Some days, it was quite an effort on both their parts to attend Rotary. But J.D. honored his commitment to attend the weekly meetings.
There are Four Avenues of Service in Rotary. J.D. excelled at Club Service. He worked to make our club better - and he set an example for attendance and participation. J.D. was a charter member of Smyrna Rotary - and he was so proud of that. The club was proud, too, and we recognized J.D. and Sam and Jimmy at every opportunity for all they did to make Smyrna Rotary special.
Over the past few weeks, J.D. missed his first Rotary meetings in a long, long, while. I will just bet you he already has his makeups in hand! I am proud to be a member of Smyrna Rotary – and I am proud to have known J.D. Daniel. J.D. was a fine Rotarian who loved his Rotary Club. He will truly be missed at Smyrna Rotary.
DG Roy Strickland
February 11, 2010
