David Daniels:
CLASS OF 1963
Thurston High SchoolClass of 1963
Redford, MI
David's Story
Hi -- It's been a long time, hasn't it? 50 years is coming up, hard to believe. I've been married to a wonderful lady for a bit almost 40 of that time. Charlene grew up in Clawson and graduated from there the same year we did. She received an RN from Harper Hospital. I guess you could say she is semi-retired. She does one day a week of private duty (in-home care).
We are now in upstate NY, having moved here in 1979. Prior to that we were in Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor and Ipswich, Massachusetts. I spent about 25 years in the retail book business, first in Christian stores, and then in the college market for Cornell University. Along the line I went to seminary and was ordained as a Baptist minister. I retired from Cornell in 2003. Had 4 days of retirement, made a late-life career change and became the pastor of a church in Elmira, NY. Tomorrow (9-26-12) will be my last day there, but for the past 4 years I have also been pastoring at a small country church outside of Watkins Glen, NY. I will continue on there in a part-time position.
We live outside of Elmira in a quiet village by the name of Horseheads (it is the only "Horseheads" in the country, which probably means the world.). Probably sounds strange to you, but around here no one thinks twice about it.
We have 3 wonderful kids who have spread themselves all over the country. Our oldest, Angela (32) and her husband Mike (of 5 years) are near Syracuse, about 95 miles away. She followed in her mother's footsteps and is an RN, having graduated from Messiah College(PA). Mike is a youth pastor for a church in Liverpool, NY. He had a daughter from a previous relationship. Xianna, our first grandchild, is almost 8. Angie & Mike have a 2 year-old daughter, Natalie and another baby is due October 4.
Sarah (31) and Steven, both grads from Cornell, live in Williamsport, PA where Steven just finished medical residency and started in a Family Practice this month (August 2012). Sarah a stay-at-home mom for Chase (Charles, named after my dad), born 9-26-09. and Lyda (7-30-11) They celebrated their 8th anniversary last January. Ian is 29, he and Rachel have been married 5 years (there was 5 weeks between Angie & Ian's weddings - one in NY, o...Expand for more
ne in OR). Our grandsons, Boyd David Daniels (12-4-09) and Grey Wesley (4-16 this year) manage to survive and thrive a long ways from their grandparents. Ian graduated from Clemson University (SC) with a degree in Turf Grass. They live in Eugene, OR where Ian is superintendent of Fiddler's Green Golf Course.
I think my job as a pastor is pretty cool. It is expected of me that I read a lot, which has always been a pleasant activity for me; and I also write quite a bit, which I enjoy too. The best part is I now get paid to do those things I also do a lot of community things -- which frequently means breakfast or lunch. It could be a lot worse. One thing that has been a nice surprise is visiting hospitals, nursing home and doing funerals. Prior to becoming a pastor I knew that I would have to do that stuff, but I assumed it would pretty much of a drag. On the contrary, I find that it is in those situations where I am most helpful and most able to minister to people. That part of the job has turned out to be a wonderful blessing for me, and brings me great joy and satisfaction.
Some of you will remember me as a swimmer -- we had a great team in those days, but I was the slowest one in the pool. I still try to swim at least 2 days a week (so does Charlene). I manage to get in at least a 1/2 mile each time, but other than my wife, I'm still the slowest one in the pool.
One of my proudest achievements has been getting a book published with my name on it. Actually, two books -- a hard cover and a paperback with the same title, although there was some difference in content. Cornell University is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, and there were frequent requests for a book of photos -- but there were none. Finally I edited a photo essay book and for several years, it was the best selling book in the area. For better or for worse, it was part of my job at Cornell, and I received no royalties for it, but I was happy just to get published.
David Daniels (by the way, I gave up on "Dave" about 40 years ago -- I much prefer David, but if Dave is who I am to you, I can handle that too)
refreshed August 25, 2012
PS -- The photo above is at a friend's wedding a couple of years ago.
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