James Allen McDaniel

James Allen McDaniel was born on August 25, 1954, in Cadillac, MI to the late Thurman Dale and Etta Marie (Riplow) McDaniel of Manton, MI. He entered into glory on August 9, 2025, peacefully at home surrounded by family at the age of 70. James was the strong, steady, and loving husband of 45 years to Frieda Dianne (Ingersoll) McDaniel of Fife Lake until her passing on May 28, 2020. Jim’s main loves in life were his family, his garden, tending to his bird feeders, and spending countless hours listening to Rush Limbaugh. His only hobby was his livelihood, the Michigan oil field, where he spent 45 amazing years. His path in the very beginning was quite different. He was an amazing athlete and scholar earning 11 varsity letters and being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. He went to college for conservation with the hope of working with the State of Michigan until he met the love of his life Frieda Dianne Ingersoll, from there her brother got him a job in the oilfield working for Duel Drilling through much of the mid 70s, until 1980 when he went to work at Pool Well service where he stayed until 1984, then went to work at Well Tech Inc., where he was able to advance and become a rig operator, and one of the few people who was able to go to Koglym, Siberia, Russia where he became a tool pusher. The last stop Jim would make in his Oilfield career would be at Team Services where he was one of the first employees at the company and where he would stay until his retirement in 2020. At the end of the day, he lived an honest and humble life, always putting his family ahead of himself every time. He never spoke down to any man or said a bad word about anyone. His word was his bond, and you could take that to the bank. With his passing we are seeing the end of an era in the Michigan Oilfield. The father to Matthew James and Kynsi (Thornburg) McDaniel of Kalkaska, Grandfather to James Matthew, Claire Elizabeth, Kristin Lynn, and Eric Robert, and cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his sister Mary E. McDaniel of Cadillac, brother David B. McDaniel of Manton, sister-in-law Ethel Mae McDaniel of Kalkaska, sister-in-law Tina (Ralph) Groleau of Kalkaska, brother-in-law Timmy Ingersoll of Fife Lake and brother-in-law Jack Helsel of Kalkaska. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years Frieda Dianne McDaniel, siblings Roger McDaniel, Jack McDaniel, Ronald McDaniel, Larry McDaniel, Marcia Hoppe, Debrah Faye McDaniel, and his parents Thurman Dale and Etta McDaniel. A visitation will be held at Kalkaska Funeral Home on Friday, August 15th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A final visitation will take place on Saturday, August 16th from 10:00 -11:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial will be held after the service at Ingersoll Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home.

James Allen McDaniel

August 25, 1954 - August 9, 2025