Marvin Cephas Daniel
Marvin C. Daniel, 91, of Salem, left for his heavenly home on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Born August 30, 1932, in Salem, Virginia, to the late John W. and Ruth Peters Daniel, he is also preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Lewis Daniel and James W. Daniel; sisters, Ruby Daniel Burnop, Roberta Daniel Grubb, Edith Daniel Hambrick, and Elsie Louise Daniel Wade.
Family remaining to cherish his memory include his nephews, Ronald W. (Cheryl) Daniel, Gary (Kathy) Daniel, Glenn (Nancy) Daniel, and Steve (Leigh Ann) Wade, as well as numerous other relatives. Also surviving is his special, long-time companion and love of his life, Delores G. “Dee” Harless.
Marvin retired from the C&P (Verizon) telephone company after 34 years of faithful service and enjoyed working with numerous special friends and co-workers. He honorably and proudly served in the U.S. Army, 1’st Cavalry Division, 7’th Regiment, 2’nd Battalion. E Company, during the Korean War and achieved several medals and awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Occupation in Japan Service Medal, the Korean War Medal, two Battle Stars (Offense and Defense of the Pusan Perimeter), the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean War Service Medal, and the Presidents Sigmare Presidential Citation. Such an esteemed military career attracted some folks from the Discovery Channel, and on November 16, 1997, Marvin’s story from the Korean War appeared on the network entitled, “Our Time in Hell – The Korean War.” Marvin also belonged to several organizations, including the 7’th Cavalry Korean War Veterans, the 1’st Cavalry Division Association, The American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans Association.
Marvin enjoyed traveling so it wasn’t a surprise to learn that he was awarded his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying and sailing. He traveled through 37 foreign countries and 44 states, skiing through many ski lodges throughout the U.S., from New England to Colorado. He was a long-time member of New Life Christian Ministries, Roanoke, Va. He enjoyed sharing special friendships with Chris Williams, of Salem, Va., Roy Compton, of Roanoke, Va., David Singleton, of Lynchburg, Va., Brenda Stephenson, Kevin and Faye Conn, all of Salem; as well as long-standing neighborhood friends, presently known as the “Lakeside Rinky Dinks.”
The family wishes to offer a special “Thank You” to the physicians and staff of the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Salem, and Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Salem, for the compassionate care given to Marvin.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, in Salem. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Chris Kingery officiating and eulogy by his dear friend, Brenda Stephenson. Interment with military honors rendered will immediately follow in Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem.
Flowers are welcome; however, memorial donations may be made in Marvin’s memory to a charity of your choosing.
Online condolences may be expressed to the Daniel family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
