Bobby Gene McDaniel

1930 - 2022

Bobby Gene McDaniel

May 27, 1930 - January 13, 2022

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Bobby Gene McDaniel, 91, of Concord, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. Bobby had most recently made his home at Transitional Health Services of Kannapolis, due to declining health.

A private family service to celebrate Bobby's life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at Wilkinson Funeral Home.

Bobby was born May 27, 1930, in Cabarrus County, and was the son of the late Coy F. McDaniel Sr. and Ruth Bailey McDaniel. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Coy F. McDaniel Jr.; sisters, Betty McDaniel Stewart and Carolyn Sue McDaniel; spouses, Eyvonne McDaniel and Betty Sue Potts Stiller McDaniel; and stepdaughter, Tracey Stiller Helms and husband, Gary Helms.

Bobby attended Cabarrus County Schools and as a high school student, he worked at the Cabarrus Creamery and the Cabarrus Theater. He later attended Rowan Technical Community College. He worked at SunDrop Bottling Company as a service manager for 20 years. After leaving SunDrop, Bobby worked at Cabarrus Nursing Center and Concord Nursing Center as environmental control director and supervisor of maintenance and housekeeping.

In 1983, Bobby and wife, Sue McDaniel bought a small motel in Black Mountain. They enjoyed owning and operating The Apple Blossom Motel, for 10 years until their retirement to Cosby, Tenn. During retirement, they owned and operated an antique store, The Briar Patch. He returned to North Carolina in 2001, and lived in Kannapolis and Concord.

Bobby had a strong belief in community service. Beginning in 1958, Bobby was a member of the Cabarrus County Rescue Squad. He served on the Board of Directors, and served in various volunteer positions throughout his 20-plus years of service, including captain, chief and vice commander. He was also certified as an EMT, First Aid and CPR Instructor, examiner and competition judge. Additionally, he was a Boy Scout of America Leader for many years and a member of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association.

He loved flying and flew his first solo flight in a C150 in 1971. His hobbies included traveling, woodworking and antiques. Bobby enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He never met a stranger and was well known for his story telling and knowledge of local history.

Those left to cherish Bobbys' memory are his brother, Jerry S. McDaniel of Durham; daughter, Bobbie Lynn D'Hilly and husband, Ron of Beverly Hills, Fla; special friend, Barbara Hartsell and family of Kannapolis; stepchildren, Victor Stiller and wife, Sharon of Lexington, Chrystal Stiller and husband, David Troutman of Concord, Shawn Stiller Ritenour and husband, Tim of Mt. Pleasant; and grandchildren, Shannon Stiller Wilmot (who was raised by Bobby and Sue) and wife, Brittany, Derek Stiller, Ryan and wife, Megan Stiller, Ashley Yount, Luke Ritenour, Ben Ritenour, Elijah Stiller Troutman; and 10 great-grandchildren; as well as numerous other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Bobby can be made to Alzheimer's Association, Western North Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

The family would like to thank the staff at Transitional Health Services of Kannapolis for caring for Bobby, with special thanks to the staff on the 300 Hall and to Nurse Practitioner, Angela Peterkin.

Wilkinson Funeral Home

www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com