Virgil Mcdaniel

Our much-loved Pa, Virgil A. McDaniel, 94, of Campbell, Texas, departed this world surrounded by his loving family on June 1, 2024.

Visitation will be Wednesday 5 to 7 p.m. at Commerce Funeral Home. His funeral service will be the following day, Thursday, at 1 p.m. at the same location.

Pa was born Feb. 8, 1930 in Lovington, NM.  He attended Pecan Gap High School, and when he was 18 married Mildred “Louise” Clemmons on July 18, 1948 in Rockwall, Texas. She was 15. They were married for 73 years and five months before her passing in 2020.

Pa had a long career at the Dallas Police Department, working there from 1951 to 1981, ultimately becoming sergeant. He was at the dispatch desk the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and was among the first to learn about the tragic shooting. He then was responsible for relaying information about the police response.

Many documentaries about Kennedy’s assassination include voice-overs of the dispatch communication from that day, and the voice is that of Pa’s.

He had gotten to know Jack Ruby while on rounds as a patrol officer, and he also knew officer J.D. Tippit, who was killed by assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. Pa is pictured in one of the famous photos depicting Oswald being escorted through a hallway at the Dallas Police Department.

He didn’t talk much about that day and did not grant interviews until he was contacted recently to contribute to an oral history project. Only then did he reveal details that even family members had never heard.

He later worked in the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and then closed out his career working as a bailiff for former Hunt County Judge Richard Bosworth from 1985 to 1995.

Pa loved woodworking, caring for his garden, and riding his motorcycle on long treks. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hiking, particularly in his beloved Red River, New Mexico.

But first and foremost, he loved his granddaughters, Ashley and Taylor, and great-granddaughters Rylie (whom he dubbed “The Smart One,” even when she was the only grandchild) and later little Wrynlee (whom he called Little Up because when she saw Pa, she always held her arms overheard and pleaded “Up, up!”).

Waiting for him in his next life is his dear wife Ma, Pa’s son, Steve, and a cherished chihuahua named Betsey.

He is survived by daughter Karen Perkins and husband Mike; granddaughter Ashley Roberts Davies and husband Jacob; granddaughter Taylor Perkins Stewart and husband Joseph; and great-granddaughters Rylie and Wrynlee Stewart.

Pallbearers will be Mike Perkins, Joseph Stewart, Jacob Davies, Ray Vega, Brad Maddox, and Pat Zapata. He will be interred at Brigham Cemetery in Commerce.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Amanda and Zoe at Sincere Care for the love and attention they gave that allowed Pa to be cared for at home – going so far as to see to the future care of his dog, Katy.

Much appreciation also goes to Jenny and Whitney at Anew Hospice.