James "Mac" Wesley McDaniel, a lifelong resident of Charleston, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, at his residence. He was born on February 6, 1932, in Charleston to the late Isaac J. McDaniel and Myrna Irene (Berry) McDaniel. He was 92 years old. Mac was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Don McDaniel and Dale McDaniel; and two sisters, Reva Hallford and Joyce George.

Mac was a 1949 graduate of Charleston High School and a 1953 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.  He was a member of the Arkansas National Guard then volunteered to the U.S. Marine Corps based in Quantico, Virginia. After receiving a Second Lieutenant Commission, he was stationed in Japan for a few months before serving in Korea for 18 months as Battalion Motor Officer and being promoted to First Lieutenant. Mac returned home after requesting a release to the reserves and went to work for Sugar Creek Creamery as Procurement Manager.  In 1957, he married the love of his life, Barbara Sue Caton. Mac went to work for Orsburn Son, Inc., as manager of Hardware, Propane, and Chicken Feed Operations. A few years later, he bought the hardware and propane business and then sold it to Sun Oil Company before going to work for Synergy Gas Company, where he retired as Regional Sales Manager over nine states. Mac enjoyed traveling (and saw all 50 states and made several overseas trips), fishing, and camping with his wife and numerous friends. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his spare time, Mac "ran cars" for Hug Chevrolet. For the past few years, Mac was a caretaker and spent countless hours taking care of his beautiful wife. Mac was a big supporter of Charleston Public Schools and was an avid sports fan of the Charleston Tigers as well as the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was forever a "Yellow Dog" Democrat, member of American Legion Post 8, and faithful member of Charleston Church of Christ. Mac loved his community very much and had many friends. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

His "girls" want to share a few personal notes. He was the best "Pa" ever. James had many nicknames: Mac, Bud, Buddy, Uncle Bud, Jim, and Papa Mac (his favorite). While he held one elected office as a Charleston School Board member in the 70's, he declared himself the Mayor of Stone Hill, our little community on Highway 22.  After moving to the Skylar Estates Retirement Community in 2019 and seeing there was no Mayor, he again declared himself Mayor. His last self-appointment was the Mayor of the Senior Citizens Center. He was a fabulous, detailed storyteller, thought he could fix anything (and he mostly could), and never met a ladder he would not climb. Mac loved playing cards, frying fish, and helping anyone he could. Mac participated in the FFA, was a charter member of the Farmhouse Fraternity at the University Arkansas, was appointed to the Arkansas Liquified Gas Petroleum Board, and recently was recognized for 50 years of service to the American Legion.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 4, at Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with Rev. Bill VanMeter officiating. Burial will follow, with military honors, at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston. Beginning at 10:00 a.m., the family will be available to visit with friends prior to the funeral service. The family also will visit with friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Barbara (Caton) McDaniel; two daughters, Kim Williams of Little Rock and Kelly Bishop of Conway; two grandchildren, Blake Cook (Lindsey) of Rogers and Brandi Black (Lance) of Conway; five great-grandchildren, Eliza, Bree, Daly, Riggs, and Hux Wesley, (Papa Mac's "Little Wes"); two sisters-in-law, Letsy McDaniel and Wanda McDaniel; and numerous nieces, nephews, and first cousins.

Pallbearers are Blake Cook, Jerry Cook, Larry Caton, Jackie Komp, Paul Moore, Roger Morris, Karl Potts., and Pete Strozier.

Honorary pallbearers are brothers and sisters of Charleston Church of Christ, members of American Legion Post 8, the Senior Citizens crew, Joe Stroub, Charles Durham, Leroy Womack, James McFerran, Dave Fallis, Charlie Mainard, John Swenson, and James Stubblefield.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Timbi West, Young Mugs, David and Alicia Meeh at Backstreet BBQ, and to Mac's neighbors at Skylar Estates in Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Christian Home, 100 W. Harding St. Morrilton, AR  72110. (501) 354-2428

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.