Coy Gene "G-Mac" McDaniel's Obituary
Coy Gene McDanielBusiness owner and car racing enthusiast, Coy Gene “G-Mac” McDaniel, passed away July 3, 2018 at the age of 81. Recognized by most as “G-Mac”, many will remember him best for his magnetic smile, keen sense of humor and story-telling ability; love for life, family and friends; and near life-time involvement in the local car racing community.Gene was born on January 29, 1937 in Elk City, Oklahoma to John and Flora Bell (LaRue) McDaniel. Raised during the Great Depression, he and his twelve siblings learned early on how to make the most of what they had. His father traveled as a minister and the family lived in many small towns during Gene’s childhood. He attended school in Adair, OK and while still a teenager, made his own path to Tulsa where he landed his first job at Tulsa Battery.Gene was a 32nd Degree Mason and Scottish Rite Free Masonry of Delta Lodge 425 since 1970. Full of energy and most happy when keeping busy, he always strived to be number one at whatever he did. He believed if anything was worth doing it was worth doing right, no matter if he had to skip lunch and dinner to make it happen. He mastered many skills and crafts along the way: welder (on the Keystone Dam), construction worker, auto mechanic, and carpet layer. Gene also owned and ran several businesses: Grand Prix Automotive on 2nd Street in downtown Tulsa, Carpets by McDaniel, G-Mac’s Janitorial, and G-Mac’s Vending.Gene was very proud of his three children and all his grandchildren and great grandchildren. There seemed to be nothing he wouldn’t do or give to see a smile on their face. Family was very important to him. He also strongly desired for all his extended family to remain close. For years, he opened his home to host the annual McDaniel Family Reunion, hoping everyone could visit each December and keep in touch. The reunions often had over 120 in attendance.Holiday gatherings were Gene’s favorite. He always had the LOUDEST fireworks, the COOLEST tractor for hayrides, and the MOST Christmas lights. The greatest fun was seeing him hypnotize guests during his New Year’s Eve parties. If you’ve ever been hypnotized by Gene, please keep his magic secret, as his son and grandsons plan to carry on the tradition.As a life-time classic Chevy lover, Gene was honored to join the Classic Chevy Club of Oklahoma. He enjoyed participating in numerous car shows with the other club members and was always excited to have the club’s annual Christmas party inside his shop. Everyone who knew him would tell you Gene’s most prize possession was his classic 1957 Chevy Belaire Convertible. He purchased the car new in 1958 when he worked for Midwest Chevrolet in downtown Tulsa. After drag racing it for several years, he had it completely restored. The restoration was so impressive, he placed mirrors underneath it at car shows to show the degree of the car’s perfection.The ’57 was not the only car Gene raced. He participated in the sport nearly his entire life: Drag Racing, Micro Midgets, Dirt Champs, Sprint Cars, Jr. Drag Racing, and Super Pro Drag Racing. Gene loved racing so much he just had to find a way to share it with the younger generation. In 1993, he and his wife Wilma formed the G-Mac’s Jr. Drag Racing Team for kids ages 8-18 years old. He coached and trained the kids (who all called him the “Old Man with the Straw Hat”) and made them keep their grades up to remain on his racing team. Gene worked with the kids in his shop and hauled them and their cars to race tracks across the U.S. From 1993-2012, over thirty kids raced in his program. Many won saving bonds through the NHRA to help with their college tuition. Three of Gene’s grandsons were members of the team: Stuart, Matthew, and Jonathan.Gene is survived by his spouse, Wilma (Holt) McDaniel of Owasso, OK; daughter, Annette Masterson and her spouse, David of Murfreesboro, TN; son, Troy McDaniel and his spouse, Beverly of Tulsa, OK; daughter, Glenna Cooper and her spouse, Timi Richardson of Owasso, OK; granddaughter, Amanda Delbridge and her spouse, Tommy of Greeneville, TN; granddaughter Candace Johnson and her spouse, Fred of Murfreesboro, TN; grandson Stuart McDaniel of Tulsa, OK; grandson Stephen Masterson and his spouse, Chelsea of Murfreesboro, TN; grandson Matthew Cooper of Tulsa, OK; granddaughter Kelsey Cooper of Owasso, OK; granddaughter Belle McDaniel of Tulsa, OK; grandson Jonathan Cooper of Owasso, OK; great-granddaughters, Isabelle Delbridge and Miranda Delbridge, of Greeneville, TN; great granddaughters, Allison Johnson and Emma Masterson of Murfreesboro, TN; sister, Lois Peden and her spouse Bill of Friendswood, TX; brother, Jerry McDaniel and his spouse Kathryn Hoppes of Sand Springs, OK; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.Immediate family members who preceded him in death include: parents, John and Flora Bell (LaRue) McDaniel; sisters: Mildred Denham, Melva Anders, Juanita Liggans, Bessie Hobbs, Jessie Chancellor, Viola Bible, and Naomi York; brothers: Bill McDaniel, LeRoy McDaniel, and Ronnie McDaniel.Pallbearers for G-Mac’s service will be Stuart McDaniel, Matt Cooper, Jonathan Cooper, Stephen Masterson, Fred Johnson, Chad McDaniel and Scott McDaniel.Honorary Pallbearers will be Bob Alberty, Bob Sullivan, Frank Johnston, Jon Brook, John Remington, Steve Bellinger, Harold Merrill, Bennie Osborn, Paul Wheeler and Bob Telford.Special thanks to: Physicians Choice Hospice, Oxford Glen Memory Care Residence at Owasso, Debbie Brooks, Julia HorstmanVisitation will be 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Floral Haven Funeral HomeFuneral Service will be 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Floral Haven Funeral Home ChapelIn lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research at: www.stjude.org or Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association at: www.alz.org/oklahoma or the charity of your choice
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