Esra McDaniel :: Russell Haven of Rest

Esra McDaniel, 85

Esra McDaniel, 85 of Orange Park, FL passed away Monday, August 30, 2021. Esra was born in Soperton, GA to the late John Henry and Mattie Bell Gillis McDaniel. He was a resident of Orange Park since 1972 coming from Brunswick, Maine. Esra retired from the US Navy after a career of 20 years in 1976 and continued to work in civil service for another 20 years retiring at NAS. The church meant the world to Esra and because of his love for God, he served in many committees at First Baptist Church of Orange Park to include, serving as a deacon, finance committee, counting committee and pastor search committees. He had a benevolent heart and would help anyone in need to include delivering meals on Wednesdays to shut-ins and was a current member of Crosspoint Baptist Church. Playing golf in the past and making peanut brittle for others were things that brought pleasure to Esra. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Esra was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Donnie and is survived by his sons, Rusty (Robbin) McDaniel and Greg (Saana) McDaniel. He was “Papa” to his grandchildren, Erica (Ryan) Stephens, Erica (Paul) Shuster, Max McDaniel, Victoria McDaniel, Alex McDaniel, and Iris McDaniel, great grandchildren Autumn, Alexis, Maddy, Carter, and Cooper

Funeral Services will be held Noon Thursday, September 9, 2021 in CrossPointe Baptist Church, Fleming Island, with visitation beginning at 11:00 am. Rev. Ron Baker will officiate. Burial will be at 1:00 PM Friday in Thigpen Cemetery in Rockledge, GA.

Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720

BT1_USN

To Mac’s family I am saddened to hear of Mac passing, may the Good Lord Bless you and be with you during this time of grief. I only knew Mac for a very short time, in church on Sunday’s and at L A Fitness during the week. Mac seemed to live at L A Fitness. As a person, a U S Navy Vet and as a member of L A Fitness you will be very much missed. Rest In Peace, Fair Winds and Following Seas. Mac We have the Watch, you have been relieved. Gregg Mundy USN Vet https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fc43a70f0e3a7d75d1ab2eadecd3cc483944fdfcf5bee21db01b092ee71be9c2.jpg
- Greg McDaniel
  
  Thank you very much Gregg! This is a great tribute to my dad. He served his God and his country well. He loved his friends at church and at the gym, and really missed his them when he could not go. God bless you.