G. C. “Clem” McDaniel passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Clem was the son of Ella Jane Boone and James Otis McDaniel, who preceded him in death. Clem was born and raised in Kings Mountain and attended Kings Mountain High School, serving as captain of the varsity football team and as president of the senior class. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served proudly in multiple capacities within the office of Naval Intelligence. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he graduated from Evans College of Commerce in Gastonia, beginning a successful business career in the insurance industry that spanned more than 30 years.
In 1948, he met and married Mary Louise Dedmon, of Shelby. They were married for 42 years and raised two daughters. Clem was a loving father and grandfather who gave unselfishly to his family and lived life to the fullest. He was an avid collector of history books, amassing a large and diverse library. His love of books and thirst for knowledge was instilled in his family and will be his lasting legacy. His positive attitude and encouraging spirit will always be remembered.
Clem was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, in 1990 and his three brothers. He leaves behind his daughter, Sherri Harrell, and granddaughter, Caroline Harrell, both of Sanford, and his daughter, Melissa Johnstone and her husband, W. M. Johnstone Jr., M.D., J.D., of Southern Pines, and grandchildren Miller Johnstone and his wife, Julia, of Raleigh, Jordan Johnstone, of Boone, Christian Johnstone, of Raleigh, and Hanna Johnstone, of the home.
The family is being served by Powell Funeral Home of Southern Pines, and a private memorial service will be held for the family at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines. In his giving spirit, Clem donated his body to science to train the next generation of physicians.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cancer CARE Fund at FirstHealth of the Carolinas, P.O. Box 3000, Pinehurst, NC 28374 and to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 7721 Six Forks Road, Suite 136, Raleigh, NC  27615.