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This website was created in memory of Ken Michael Daniel, Jr. Please consider leaving a message about Ken in the Tributes section. You can use the Stories tab to tell one of the many adventures during Ken's life. Feel free to add pictures in the Gallery tab so that this website can be a testament to his life for his family and friends to treasure always. The Stories tab also contains his career resume accomplishments.  The Life tab contains his memory video and you can find additional pictures in the Gallery tab.  Thank you ..

Arrangements:  Ken's last wishes were to be cremated and some of his ashes spread across the Grand Canyon as this is somewhere he always wanted to go.  His sons, Bryce & Peyton Daniel will be taking a trip in the future to carry out his wishes.  

Update: On Thanksgiving Day, 11/24/2022, we made a trip to the Grand Canyon and spread Ken’s ashes from a breathtaking point on the south rim. Pictures of this ceremony with Bryce & Peyton have been added to the gallery. 

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Ken Michael Daniel, Jr. was born in Pasadena, TX on February 10, 1965. He was a sweet, beautiful child with auburn, curly hair and an infectious smile which drew people to him. Growing up, Ken was always curious about his surroundings and learned on his own how to build things and figure out how things worked.  He was a friendly, happy child who always enjoyed being outdoors and loved his family.

After living in several places in Texas and Louisiana,  Ken attended Acadiana High School in Lafayette, Louisiana where he played varsity football and enjoyed wood-working.  He built several special wood pieces during high school that he would keep throughout his life including a working mantle clock, a standing clothes valet and a solid oak gun cabinet, which won awards at local wood-working competitions. 

After graduating high school in 1983, Ken joined the United States Navy where he served for 4 years as an Aviation Ordnanceman aboard the USS Independence CV 62 and the USS America CV 66. During the Navy, he received the Good Conduct Award, The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  After his military service, Ken returned to Lafayette, Louisiana and worked in restaurant management while he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL/UL). 

He graduated from USL in 1995 with a degree in Hospitality Management & Business.  Ken married Paula Broussard Daniel in 1994 and after both of their college graduations, they moved to Dallas, Texas where their sons were born .. Philip Bryce Daniel (Born: 1997) & Peyton Michael Daniel (Born: 2001).  Ken continued managing many restaurants in the Dallas, Texas area and helped to raise his young sons with his wife, Paula. 

He returned home to Louisiana in 2005 where he transitioned his career to safety management for various oilfield service companies. His naval training in weaponry, additional safety & quality accreditations, his strong safety mindset and strict attention to detail made this a perfect career choice in his later life.  Ken worked in many oilfield safety positions, both onshore and offshore platforms in addition to teaching as a safety instructor until his retirement. 

Ken was a wonderful father, participating in many activities with his sons throughout their childhood .. cub scout parent, football coach, skeet shooting, 4H Volunteer, serving on the board of his son’s school, attending all of their competitions and sporting events. He was a country boy at heart and enjoyed all the outdoor activities life had to offer .. hunting, fishing & boating.

In recent years, Ken struggled with health issues which eventually took him from us way too soon.  Throughout his life, he was loved by many as a son, brother, father, husband and friend.  He will be deeply missed and remembered for his kindness, willingness to help anyone, wonderful sense of humor and contagious smile.  His boys will have grown up knowing the true love of a father and will try to carry on his sense of love for America and his honor in all things he did.  We love you, Ken, for everything you have given to so many people.  This life will not be the same without your beautiful spirit.