James Reginald Daniels, Jr. entered heaven peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 after a prolonged hospital stay. He was born in Rocky Mount, NC on February 6, 1945 to Marcile Ezzelle Daniels and James Reginald Daniels, Sr. Jim was proceeded in death by his father, James, and his in-laws, Ben and Josephine Williams.
Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shelia, daughters, Kimberly Crocker (Lee) and Jennifer Daniels (Ken), granddaughters Chelsea Crocker, Rebecca Daniels and Tessa Daniels. He is also survived by his mother Marcile, sister Brenda Stowe (Dan), sister-in-law, Jane Capps (Jack), uncles, Charlie Daniels (Jeanette), Eleanor Daniels, Mickey Ezzelle and JD Ezzelle (Marcia), nephews, Donnie Kropp, Jeff King, and Jason Capps and many cousins and extended family and friends.
Jim was born and raised in Rocky Mount. From a young age, his love of baseball was clear. He played baseball with neighborhood friends and with his Uncle Charlie at the YMCA. In high school, Jim played for the Rocky Mount Blackbirds baseball team and proudly played an integral part of the 1963 Baseball State 4-A Championship (part of the Triple Crown - Football, Basketball and Baseball).
After high school, Jim attended ECU and earned a BA in Business Administration. During his college years, he continued playing baseball as an ECU Pirate. Jim bled purple and gold his entire life. After college, he proudly served our country in Vietnam from 1968-1969.
After retirement, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and writing poetry from the heart. His sense of humor and kind and generous nature will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
A private graveside service will be held by the family.
Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.
Service
A private graveside service will be held by the family.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
I will miss his words of encouragement and the messages he shared. RIP Jimmy!.Prayers for your family.
In memory of James Reginald Daniels Jr., Linda W Rice lit a candle
I remember being on the same little league team playing on the field on grace street that is now occupied by a fire station and sitting on the bench while watching jimmy hit home runs!
In memory of James Reginald Daniels Jr., Kathy Wilson lit a candle
In memory of James Reginald Daniels Jr., Pamela Daniels Dunbar lit a candle
In memory of James Reginald Daniels Jr., Bud & Brenda Barnes lit a candle
In memory of James Reginald Daniels Jr., Lynn Treadaway lit a candle
Our class of 63 is sad to hear about Jimmy’s passing. He was such a nice guy and loved by everyone. I will be thinking of your family and praying for your peace and comfort with your good memories. Gaye Mucci
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! The Mitchells and Shackelfords