Alan Robert McDaniel, of Blacksburg, died July 20, 2015.
Alan McDaniel had an apparent heart attack and died Monday while working in the yard. He was feeling better from the cancer and doing the things he loved to do. He went to the beach a few weeks ago.
Alan McDaniel
served the VA Tech Horticulture Department in a teaching and extension capacity. He taught Floral Design, Controlled Plant Environment, and Vegetable Crops.
He has been the lead contact for FFA competitions held each year at Virginia Tech and at the Virginia State Fair, State FFA Convention and National FFA Convention.
He taught classes for the Governor's School at Virginia Tech and was the Hort Club Advisor for several years.
Alan Robert McDaniel, age 66, of Blacksburg died, Monday, July 20, 2015, at Lewis Gale Hospital-Montgomery. He was born in Atlantic, Iowa on November 5, 1948. He is preceded in death by his father, Lester L. McDaniel and a brother, Paul McDaniel.
Alan received his Bachelor of Science from Iowa State in 1970 and PhD from University of Tennessee in 1975. He was a Professor of Horticulture and coordinating advisor for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech for thirty-seven years and taught Flora Design. He also served as faculty advisor to the Virginia Tech Honor System.
Alan served his community as chair of the State and National FFA nursery landscape contest, volunteered time teach Master Gardeners, serves as Master of Ceremonies to the Miss Newport Pageant, and played percussion for the Blacksburg Community Band.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Harris McDaniel of Blacksburg; mother, Wilma McDaniel of Sun City, AZ; sons and daughter-in-law, Ian K. McDaniel of Lawrence, KS, Ryan K. McDaniel and wife, Lynsie of Jasper, GA; brothers and sister-in-law, David McDaniel of Glendale, AX, Gary McDaniel and wife, Jean of Bedford, VA; grandchildren, Peyton, Will and Graham.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11:00 am in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Steve Schmitt officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 pm Friday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr., SW, Blacksburg.
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Virginia Certified Horticulturist
Knows How It Grows! Knowledge is Power!
