In Remembrance

Donald Lee Daniel Sr. “Cowboy Don”, 67, passed away Saturday April 21, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth just after 10am with his family by his side. Don was born to Edna Mae (Herring) Lincoln and William Thomas Daniel on December 9th, 1950 in Monette, Arkansas.

There were nine children in the family; Thomas, Donald, Ella, Ellis, Caroline, Patricia, David, Samuel, and Louis. He was a rowdy little boy and very much enjoyed playing practical jokes on friends and family, his loving mother Edna in particular. He was an “adrenaline junkie”. He used to come to Washington Junior/High School standing on the bumper and hanging off the back of the bus. That was his way of saving bus fare money to spend on more enjoyable things, such as time with friends at Coney Island in downtown Duluth and drinking cherry cokes and playing pinball machines. Don met his future wife, Jeanne, when they were young teenagers while attending Washington School. Together they had three children, Donald, Jr., Linda, and Valerie. Their marriage took place in 1970 and lasted 21 years. Don was drafted into the army in 1970. He went to boot camp in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and then for special training in Mare Island, Virginia. He was stationed in Oakland, California before his tour of duty in Vietnam began. He drove and worked on river patrol boats which carried supplies along the Mekong Delta. He was honorably discharged and came home to Phoenix, Arizona. His employment while living in Arizona included working for the Fuller Brush Company, as an auto mechanic, and even a state prison guard. He joined the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters in the 1970’s, his home local being Number 11 in Duluth, MN of which he retired from as being a lifelong member. He found enjoyment in this career and worked at LSPI, Potlach, and Murphy Oil to name a few in the Twin Ports area, and many other locations throughout the United States. He was an outdoors enthusiast to the extreme. Don could never get in enough camping, fishing, hunting, and exploring, and he loved doing these things with his family more than anything. Other things to add to his long list of hobbies were cooking and barbequing, gardening, foraging, home brewing, coming up with inventions, reading, good movies, quality time with family and friends, and especially his focus on music. He became very passionate about writing songs, collaborating with friends, and wanting to reach out to people in this way. His niece Desirae insisted to him that he start getting his lyrics down on paper. He loved to get out for any open mic sessions in the area and share his songs with the public. He was highly supportive of other local singers and musicians and strived to inspire them to pursue their musical careers. In his later years, a few of his favorite hangouts were Beaner’s Central, Mitch’s Bar, the VFW, and the American Legion. He had a schedule of which places he was going each day to catch weekly dinner specials and spend time socializing. He did his best to inspire people around him, even strangers, to make choices that would better their lives, as he had done for himself. Don struggled with his health in the final years of his life. One of his recurring health problems brought him into St. Luke’s Hospital on March 12th where he fought hard to have as much time with his beloved family and friends as possible. He had the opportunity to tell his loved ones what he needed to say and find peace in saying goodbye. Don passed away on April 21st, 2018.

He is preceded in death by; father William; siblings Ellis, Ella, Patty, and Sammy.

Don is survived by; son Don Jr. (Adele), Linda, Valerie (Alexandru); mother Edna; siblings Tom, Carol, Dave, Louis; special niece Desirae; many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Memorial service will be held 10:00 am, Friday May 4, 2018, at the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle. There will be a visitation starting at 9:00 am. and a reception to follow.