Daniel Joseph McNew | Eastern NC Now

Born: August 9, 1914, Died: January 11, 2014

    Daniel Joseph McNew, age 99, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, January 11, 2014.

    He enjoyed a lifetime following Jesus, under God's protection and grace. A graveside celebration of his life with military honors will be at 2PM, Friday, January 17 in Pamlico Memorial Gardens, officiated by Kevin Cutler.

    Daniel was born in Glade Springs, VA to Joseph Daniel and Corrie Rutherford McNew in 1914. Daniel resided in West Melbourne and attended Bowe Gardens Baptist Church. Daniel pursued his interest in aviation through his career in the US military where he held the rank of chief master sergeant. He fought in WWII, the Korean War and supported the Vietnam War in the Civil Service. He joined the US Army Air Corp in 1931, and was transferred into the Air Force, and upon retirement from active military in 1954, Daniel worked for the Civil Service for 13 years. He was a proud member of the 40th bomb group where he flew B-29s as the flight engineer. Daniel's proudest career accomplishment was helping load the atomic bomb in North Field (Tinian). In Daniel's 99 years of life he held the occupations of farmer, automobile and aircraft mechanic, soldier, fireman, flight engineer, ROTC professor at the University of Alabama, technical advisor, logistician, and investor. Daniel enjoyed spending time with his family, travelling, working around the house, and serving the Lord.

    He is survived by his wife, Mary McNew; his son, Johnny McNew and wife Suzanne; his daughter, Mary D. Renfro; his granddaughters , Wendy Cornett, Cathy Nelson, Jenia Green and Danielle Renfro; his grandson, Perry Elliott, numerous great and great-great grandchildren; his brother Albert "Tater" McNew and wife Vera; his loyal nephew/Godson, Stanley Grala; and numerous nieces and nephews.

    He was predeceased by his wife Katherine "Kitty" McNew; his son, Seth Tayloe Elliott whose wife Louise survives; a grandson, Josh Razz Renfro; his brothers, C.W. McNew, Douglas McNew, Horace Sam McNew; his sisters, Eloise Grala, and Margueritte Fields; and nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made in Daniel's memory to Bowe Gardens Baptist Church, 2700 Sarno Rd., Melbourne, FL 32395 or to seed blooming flowers for the glory of God.