Cecil Dean Daniels, Jr.

DANIELS, Cecil Dean Jr. October 1, 2023. Age 68. Beloved husband of Marilyn. Loving father of Dean (Joyce) Daniels, Bettye Ann (Kevin) Kittle, and Meghan Roekle. Proud and adored grandfather of Evelyn, Marielle, and Isla. Dear brother of Deanna (Bill) Kellenberger, Alan (Christine) Daniels, and Scott (Nancy) Daniels. He was predeceased by his wife, Therese "TC", and parents, Cecil "Dean" Sr. and Doraine Daniels. Cecil grew up in a loving, hardworking, close-knit family in Michigan City, Indiana. After serving in the Army, he attended Valparaiso University, where he was a defensive lineman on the football team. After college, he moved to the Detroit-area where he raised his family and worked as a robotic welding sales engineer. Over the span of his 30-plus year career, he spent time at many of the leading companies in the industry, reaching the level of Vice President of Sales. While Cecil was successful in business, that wasn't what defined him as a man or what made him feel successful. What mattered to him most were his relationships. Those with his children, grandchildren, friends, and family. Cecil had a passion for life that boiled over into those relationships, and all of the activities he partook in outside of his work life. He loved fishing, golfing, working out, and reading. He never met a home improvement project he wasn't willing to tackle, be it in his home or someone else's. Many of his family and friends can look at a spot in their home and say "Cecil did that for me". His family and friends know that he would spend hours a week on the phone or in person mentoring, listening, giving advice, and nurturing the relationships he had with all of those who mattered so much to him. Cecil was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Cecil and Marilyn were just beginning to build their life together. He brought his zest for life to their marriage, and because of him she knows the joy of having children and grandchildren. In him, she found the love of her life, a man who could always make her laugh and smile, and someone who made her comfortable going out of her comfort zone. His children couldn't ask for a better dad. He was the type of father who offered guidance and encouragement, while respecting who they are as individuals. He taught them to value family, friendship, and hard work, and the importance of nurturing relationships. Through not only his words but his actions, his children know the immense love he had for them. Every conversation ended with "love you" and he could always be counted on to be there when they needed him. Cecil was blessed to have three granddaughters, and being a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life. They called him "Papa D" and he was the grandpa who would be at all the sporting events, make silly faces and voices, wear funny accessories, and conduct cooking lessons. His granddaughters naturally gravitated toward Papa D's fun-loving and kind nature, and you would never be surprised to find him with all three of them snuggled up eating treats and watching a movie. His passion for life, his boisterous laugh, and his radiant smile will be missed and cherished by all who knew him. A Celebration of Cecil's life will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Great Oaks Country Club 777 Great Oaks Blvd. Rochester Hills, MI 48307 His family will receive guests beginning at 12pm. A Memorial Service will begin at 3pm. A dinner will follow the service at 4pm. The family kindly requests you let them know if you plan to attend the dinner. You may email them at: celebratececiljr@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan (https://www.habitatmichigan.org/). Please share memories with the family at their online guestbook at WujekCalcaterra.com

Cecil Dean Daniels, Jr.

August 19, 1955 - October 1, 2023