Clinton Edward “Ace” Daniels
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Clinton Edward “Ace” Daniels 87, passed away on February 7, 2016 in Lawrence, KS. He was born on May 25, 1928 in Winfield, KS, during the beginning of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. He was born to loving parents, Kenneth Daniels and Audrey (Stephens) Daniels. He grew up in Iola, KS, and his family lived briefly in McKook, NE. After graduating from Iola High School, he joined the Army Air Corps at age 18 in 1946. As a Sargent, he worked in radar and radio as a repairman, while serving at various military bases in the United States, as well as a year in Japan as part of an occupation and replacement depot, and a year in Europe. One of his proudest moments was serving in Germany as part of the Berlin airlift. After 3 years of service and an honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps, he completed a 2-year Associates Degree in pre-medicine at Iola Community College, then attended the University of Kansas for 1 year.
He worked his way through school as a shoe salesman at the Royal College Shop in Lawrence, KS, where he worked for 33 years and eventually became the store manager. He also worked at Arensberg Shoe Store in Lawrence, then served as the manager and buyer for Wolf Brothers shoe department at the Plaza in Kansas City. After retirement, he worked part-time for 10 years for Gene Fritzel Construction.
He was active in Boy Scouts for 45 years, and served as Troop Leader of Troop 60, the oldest registered troop in Lawrence, KS. He attended Camp Nash at Bonner Springs, KS for 35 years and assisted with the Boy Scouts receiving a grant to purchase property for the Brommelsick Campgrounds outside of Lawrence. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his decades of leadership and service to Boy Scouts of America.
He was a member of the Lawrence Jaycees, the Lawrence Elks Lodge, and the Topeka Moose Lodge.
He was a godly man of faith who served in church leadership roles as a Sunday School teacher and a home Bible study teacher. He served as an elder at the First Christian Church of Lawrence and an elder at Lawrence Heights Christian Church. He married Thelma Croom July 18, 1966 and had a loving marriage for 48 years. He and Thelma made wonderful memories traveling to over 2 dozen states for camping and fishing trips and family visits. She preceded him in death on November 25, 2014. He is survived by his sons, Rick Daniels (and wife, Sharon) and Craig Daniels all of Lawrence, KS; stepdaughter, Rogene Burton of Stillwater, OK; his brother, Richard Daniels of Kansas City, KS; sister, Joyce Hixon of Sikeston, MO; and sister, Janet McDonald of Goodlettsville, TN. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Luke, Marian, Christine, Marie, Catherine and Kelley; 4 step-grandchildren, Michael, Cynthia, Lisa and Cathy; 9 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren, 2 step-great, great-grandchildren, and many other loving relatives and friends. He was also preceded in death by his parents; and stepdaughter, Rozana Perico.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2016 at Lawrence Heights Christian Church in Lawrence, KS. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lawrence Heights Christian Church Building Fund and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
ACE may you rest in peace , thanks for being part of my life while I was growing up and I am proud to be part of Troop 60 under your guidance
For years I trusted no one to help me select shoes except Ace. I purchased shoes from him at Royal College and Arensberg’s and then followed him to Kansas City. I’m sure he will be missed by family, friends and former customers like myself.
I must say it’s with deep regrets I see that Ace has passed on. I can remember this man from Royal College. I was only a young boy when I met him. He was a truly wonderful salesman at the shoe store. I can remember going there so many times throughout the years. Ace you were a great person to have known. I hope you can keep everyone in heaven in shoes. RIP.
Ace was a wonderfully positive leader and developer of boys in Troop 60. I have carried throughout my life the lessons learned from Ace and Boy Scouts. It was a pleasure seeing him in August of 2014 and reminiscing about Philmont. He will be missed. With my deepest condolences may you find comfort in his faith.