Alfred McDaniel

Alfred D. McDaniel

July 6, 1943 to June 11, 2024

Alfred Dennis “Fred” McDaniel, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on June 11, 2024 at his home in Springfield, Oregon. Born to Birdie Fern Staley and Alfred E. McDaniel on July 6, 1943 in Newburg, Oregon, Fred grew up surrounded by a family with strong ties to the communities where they lived, particularly Fall Creek, Oregon, where they spent most of his childhood. 

Fred thrived in school, particularly in athletics, where he and the Lowell Red Devils basketball team took the state championship his senior year in 1961. Fred took his love of basketball to Linfield College, where he and his team competed in the national championship. After attaining his business degree, Fred was drafted by the Army in 1966. He returned to civilian life in March of 1968.

In 1971, Fred met Norma Granberg while she was visiting family in Fall Creek. Most people who encountered Fred found it hard to resist his kindness, intelligence, and humor, as he easily made friends wherever he went, but nobody could have predicted that by the end of that first meeting, Fred and Norma would decide that they should be married. Fred presented Norma with a ring on their second date, and they were married on May 27, 1972 in Norma’s hometown of Bellevue, Washington. 

The newlyweds remained in Washington as Fred pursued an accounting degree at Seattle University. They moved to Springfield, Oregon over New Year’s 1975. The couple welcomed their daughter Staci in 1976 and Erin in 1979, and Fred joined the Finance Department of the City of Eugene, where he worked until his retirement in 2003. In addition to supporting his daughters by attending every school event possible, Fred became heavily involved with the Springfield School District in the 1980s and 1990s, working on various committees and serving on the school board. 

Fred enjoyed traveling, whether it was to the family campground just south of Florence, Oregon, or on road trips with his parents, wife, and daughter to Disneyland, Yellowstone, and other attractions. Fred and Norma also took their daughters to Florida and Mexico, and the couple took several cruises in the Caribbean and Hawaii, and most recently, to Alaska. They also took a motorhome tour of the United States a few years ago, and have enjoyed winters in Arizona annually since 2005.

When not at work, traveling, or spending time with family, Fred was an avid sports fan. He and Norma were Duck football season ticket holders for years and watched the Seattle Mariners during spring training almost every year. Fred also followed the Seattle Seahawks and loved watching golf, basketball, and more. He also enjoyed playing golf and had a regular group he played with in Mesa, Arizona for several years. 

Beyond his interests and activities, Fred was known as a steadfast friend and a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews. Children and animals always seemed to love him, especially the kids who goggled at the shockingly tall clown handing them candy many Halloween nights. Despite his intimidating height, Fred was unfailingly gentle and kind, quick to crack a joke or offer a hand. He had lifelong friends with whom he exchanged texts, emails, and phone calls, sometimes daily. The outpouring of loving comments since his passing has overwhelmed his family in the best way possible. 

Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Norma, his daughters, Staci and Erin, his sister, Jann Mann, and a host of brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. At Fred’s request, there will be no memorial service. Instead, we hope he will be remembered for his gentle and generous spirit, and that those who loved him will take a deep breath and appreciate the blessings in their lives because one of Fred’s greatest gifts was taking joy in simple pleasures. If you wish to make a donation in his name, Fred long supported Food for Lane County.