James F. McDaniel Jr.

Published 1:16 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025

From the rich coastal plain of eastern Virginia to the rolling foothills of the Old Dominion’s Piedmont, James F. McDaniel Jr., known to most as Jim, reveled in the wonder of the tilled Earth giving rise to bountiful harvests. A son of James Farrington Sr. and Alberta McDaniel, Jim and his mule, Dick, cultivated the soft earth of Norfolk and grew all types of produce before attending Virginia Tech in pursuit of a degree in Agronomy. Military service called and he joined the ranks of the United States Marine Corps as the conflict in Korea grew. He went through basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and continued training in south Florida and Puerto Rico. The war concluded and Jim left the Corps to return to Virginia, marrying Shirley Harcum, of Lebanon, in 1958. After working for Agrico Chemical Company in sales, he took a position with a division of the USDA, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service as county executive director in Buckingham. For decades he managed significant programs assisting the farming community, retiring in 1990.

Jim McDaniel was a member of Mulberry Grove Baptist Church, where he served as deacon and thoroughly enjoyed the monthly Senior Day gatherings complete with lunch and a music session which gained regional attention as banjo and guitar players came from miles around to make music together. He came away from these gatherings deeply impressed with the skills of those who played and the power of such time spent together to energize one’s soul. He gardened, played a serious game of tennis, toured with his trusty Suzuki motorcycle, worked beside other members in the Ruritan Club, and loved to drive through the county to view the progress of the corn crop through the spring and summer. Jim and Shirley frequently joined their daughter and son traveling the high seas by cruise ship. Following retirement from the ASCS, he continued his service to the agricultural community as a board member of the Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District. In addition to that organization, Jim helped guide the important work of the Buckingham Housing Development Corporation as a member of the Board of Directors.

Jim put deep roots in Buckingham and cherished the connections made over almost 60 years of living in the heart of central Virginia. He is survived by a son, Jeff McDaniel of Buckingham; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Bobby Crews of Zion Crossroads; sister- in-law, Nancy Wetherington of Weems, and nieces, Sandra and Cindy of Florida. 

Predeceased family members include his wife, Shirley, and a beloved brother and sister-in-law, David and Barbara McDaniel of Punta Gorda, Florida.

A worship service to celebrate Jim’s life will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 14, at Mulberry Grove Baptist Church in Buckingham with visitation one hour prior to the service. A meal and time of fellowship will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mulberry Grove Baptist Church, c/o Jay Jones, 1788 Howardsville Road, Buckingham, VA 23921.