John Daniel, Jr.

John Wesley Daniel Jr, 88, of Elm City died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday September 25th.

He is survived by his son, John Wesley Daniel III (Jenny) of Elm City; daughters Mandy Daniel and Gretchen Hunt (Robin) both of Elm City; grandchildren, Jessica Lee (Tristan), Daniel Boykin (Stephanie), John Daniel IV (Autumn), Stephen Daniel, Owen Hunt, Samuel Overton and Lydia Hunt; great-grandchildren, Bennett Lee, Turner Lee, Brooke Boykin, Blake Boykin; sister, Helen Shingleton (Dan) of Elm City.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Williamson Daniel; parents, John Wesley Daniel and Jessie Finch Daniel; great grandson, Nolan Lee.

The visitation will be at Wilson Memorial Service on Sunday from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be Monday, 3:00 pm at Mount Zion United Methodist with burial to follow at Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson.

Known always as "Johnny" since childhood, he was the son of the late Jessie Finch and John W. Daniel Sr. Born November 28th 1936, he grew up on the family farm in northern Wilson County. He graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in 1955. During this time he also served as a school bus driver. It was on his bus route that he met the love of his life, the late Janet Williamson whom he wed in 1957. Shortly after marriage he received his BS degree and teaching certificate from Atlantic Christian College (Barton) and completed additional graduate studies at North Carolina State University. He embarked on his first career, teaching, in the state of Virginia where he was both an elementary school teacher and a principal. A few years later he returned home to Wilson to teach physics and chemistry at Wilson County Technical Institute. He was an educator for 12 years, but later had the opportunity to return to the family farm to follow in his father's footsteps. He farmed very successfully for 35 years, and was known for his innovation and early adoption of improved farming techniques. He was one of the pioneers of "no-till" farming in the area, a practice very common today to improve both yields and land management. He was an early adopter of bulk tobacco harvesting and curing, and was always known for the quality leaf he brought to market.

Johnny was a lifetime member and supporter of Mount Zion United Methodist Church of Elm City where he held various administrative board positions over the years, and he was very active in the United Methodist Men's club. His presence and support will surely be missed.

Memorials are suggested to Mount Zion UMC, 5326 London Church Rd, Elm City NC 27822-9124.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com