Mack Theodore Daniels

Mack Theodore Daniels, of Chester, age 87, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2024, in his home, barely 100 yards from the home in which he was born on October 14, 1936. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Georgia C. Daniels; his parents, Mack V. and Leona F. Daniels; as well as his sister, Phyllis D. Beazley. He is survived by his four children, Graham C. Daniels (Christine), of Chester, Beth D. Paul (Tom), of Richmond, Anne H. Daniels, of Virginia Beach, and Mary D. Orr (Bill), of Charlotte; his brother, Graham R. Daniels, of Louisa; and his brother-in-law, L. Hunter Beazley, of Chester; nine grandchildren, Walter and Elinor Daniels, Meredith, Harrison and Ellie Paul, Michael and Taylor Trafton, and Crawford and Will Orr; several nieces and nephews, including his special nephew, James V. Daniels. He is also survived by devoted family friend of many years, Sandy C. Mick, of Chester.

Mack was a quick-witted and good humored person who had a lasting impact on all who knew him. In his youth, he was a fiercely competitive and talented athlete. He was particularly proud to have been a two-way starter on the fabled 1954 Thomas Dale High School football team, which went undefeated and untied, holding six opponents scoreless and outscoring all opponents 263-19, and having famously won its final game against arch rival Manchester High School in an epic Thanksgiving Day showdown at Richmond's Parker Field before 8,000 plus fans. Mack was selected to the All-Suburban football team and went on to Wake Forest University on a football scholarship. He was also proud to have spent several memorable summers as a lifeguard at Moore's Lake during its heyday.

After graduating from Wake Forest in 1959, Mack attended and completed law school at the University of Richmond's T. C. Williams School of Law. He practiced law for over 30 years before retiring from private practice in 1997. He then served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Chesterfield County under his close friend, Billy Davenport, from 1997 to 2012. Earlier in his career, Mack served a term as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Chesterfield County. His dedication to public service extended further to his role as a substitute General District Court judge and as a member of the Chesterfield County Board of Zoning Appeals. Additionally, he served as President of the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Bar Association from 1983-1984 and served in leadership positions in various civic organizations. An avid outdoorsman, Mack enjoyed fishing and hunting, having once served as President of the Virginia Anglers Club. He spent many days fishing with family and friends on the Chesapeake Bay.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to Kelly Shumate, Tamee Hardin, and Pearl Emanuel for their outstanding and devoted care of Mack, which enabled him to fulfill his desire to spend his final months in his home.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at Sunset Memorial Park, located at 2901 West Hundred Road, Chester, Virginia 23831, with a reception to follow.