Stephen Dale McDaniel

Stephen Dale McDaniel (Mac) 76 of Flora Vista, passed away Monday July 20th, 2026. He was born on April 18, 1950, in Farmington NM to Lela Mae (Donaldson) and Riley Leonard R.L. McDaniel.

On February 14th, 1969, he married the love of his life, Joyce Anne Wilks and were married 53 years before she passed away. They had 3 children together, 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

He worked in the oilfield until opening Mac’s Auto Repair working on cars, trucks and golf carts in his later years. He spent time watching cooking shows, westerns, Lottery Dream Home, Judge Judy and daytime talk shows. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, listening to cousin Brucie in a rainstorm while sitting in a vehicle, drinking a beer. He was proud to be the “prez” of the local ditch board.

Above all he loved his grandbabies and great grandbabies. If there was a baby to hold, he was automatically their Papa! He went from Crapa to grampa to Papa to finally Papa-on-wheels when he got his wheelchair. If you ever saw them out to lunch you could bet the topic of conversation would turn to the grandbabies if they didn’t have 3 or 4 of them with them. He became the babysitter, meeting the bus to pick them up, taking them to practices or picking up a sick kiddo from school.

He will be missed, but we know he is with his Wife, Joyce; his grandson, Christopher (Peabody) McDaniel; brothers, Teddy McDaniel and Shane McDaniel; sister Sharon Riner; and his parents, R.L and Lela McDaniel and several of his close friends.

He is survived by his sons, Stephen “Dodie” McDaniel and Kenny McDaniel (Michelle); Daughter, Carolynn Averill (Dana); Sisters, Jude McDaniel and Kellee Brandenburg (Fred); brothers, Mickey McDaniel and David McDaniel (Susan); grandchildren Rebecca Hannam (Tom), Brittany "Dr.B" McDaniel (Joseph), Jeff McDaniel (Dana), Karrie Vasquez (Isaac), Kattie Jaramillo (Anthony), Jordan "Scoob" McDaniel, Taylor "Bones" McDaniel, Kirsten "Bitty" McDaniel, great-grandchildren Bailey McDaniel, Amelia "Mimi" McDaniel, Piper "Billy" McDaniel, Greysen Jaramillo, Hudson Jaramillo and Jonah Jaramillo; Aunts Nancy Doladson and Amy Heart; many nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on August 22, 2026, from 10:00-2:00 at Kiwanis Park Shelter 1, officiant will be Jeff McDaniel. Interment will be immediately following for Joyce and Stephen at La Plata Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stephen “Dodie” McDaniel and Carolynn Averill.