Marylou Nell Leedy McDaniel

Marylou Nell Leedy McDaniel, 87 of Kerrick, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2015 in Dumas, Texas. Funeral Services will be held at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, August 31, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Stratford with Rev. Steve Ulrey, pastor of the church, officiating. Family visitation will be at the funeral home from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday. Interrment will follow at Stratford Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Morrison Funeral Directors of Stratford. Marylou was born in Nevada, MO at the home of her maternal grandparents, October 10, 1927. She was the only child of Myron (Mike) and Berniece (Turk) Leedy. She graduated from Junction City High School (Kansas) in 1944 and worked at the family drug store until her marriage. Marylou married Fred R. McDaniel August 22, 1948, in Junction City. They moved into the Kerrick home built during their engagement where she resided until moving to the Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in January 2014. She was active in Kerrick, Stratford, and Dallam county organizations including: Prospectus Study Club, lifetime member -Order of the Eastern Star, Stratford Federated Music Club, terms on the Depot Museum Board & Stratford Area Foundation, county fair boards in Sherman & Dallam counties, Band Boosters, and the First United Methodist Church. Marylou took pictures for organizations, weddings, school annuals, junior high and high school proms & banquets, winning several awards for photography. For years, she reported the Kerrick News for the Dalhart Texan and Stratford Star newspapers and served as reporter for nearly every organization she belonged. While society editor for the Stratford Star, she was awarded Best Women's Page Feature by the Panhandle Press Association. She compiled and edited the first volume of the Sherman County History, "God, Grass, & Grit" Vol. 1. In the Home Demonstration days, she was the Dallam County Woman of the year; TFWC, Top of Texas Outstanding Clubwoman twice and Outstanding Volunteer; Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year; Stratford Chamber of Commerce Good Guy of the Month & honored by them for her volunteer service. Marylou enjoyed traveling, her bowling team of over 40 years, theater, music, fishing, sports events (especially the Colorado Rockies), and the family's Colorado cabin. Fred was an amateur radio operator and he and Marylou made numerous "ham" friends. Following his death, Marylou became a licensed technician and took Fred's call letters, W5ZTW. Marylou was preceded in death by her husband and parents. Survivors include daughter, Patti McDaniel, Aurora, Co; son, Mike McDaniel, Kerrick; granddaughter, Merilee McDaniel, San Antonio; sister-in-law, Thelma Smith, Dumas; niece, Sherri Hutchison, Arnold, MO; nephews, Ron Hutchison (Lana), Longview and Scott Hutchison (Nita), Lubbock; 7 great-nieces and their families; and special friend, Clifford Abbott, Canyon. The family wishes to express their thanks for the care, concern, and assistance of Kenna Collums and the staff of Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Dumas. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church of Stratford, Po Box 1289, Stratford, TX 79084, or Kerrick Historical Community, PO Box 518, Kerrick, TX 79051-0518, or The Fred R. McDaniel Memorial Scholarship, c/o ARRL Foundation, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494. The family will be at 210 Binkley in Dumas.