Cover photo for Gordon Daniel's Obituary
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1932 Gordon 2022

Gordon Daniel

October 31, 1932 — June 30, 2022

Rotan, Texas

Gordon “Scotty” Daniel, 89, of Rotan, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022. The son of Roy Earl Daniel and Ethel Launa Daniel, Scotty was born in Houston, Texas on October 31, 1932. He completed high school in 1950 in Albuquerque, New Mexico and went on to Baylor University where he graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He met his future wife, Erma, while at Baylor. After graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF) and was assigned to Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX. During this period, he flew the B-47 bomber as part of Strategic Air Command and participated in Cold War activities. He married Erma Lee Branch in 1958 at the First Baptist Church of Rotan, TX.

During the Vietnam War, during one of his trips to Vietnam, a cargo plane full of medevac patients he was flying was shot by enemy fire. Their lives were saved due to his quick actions and expert pilot skills. His heroic actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. After being on active duty in the USAF, he transitioned to the USAF Reserves in 1952 and joined American Airlines as a pilot, and continued to fly in the USAF reserves once a month.  He spent most of his career as a pilot for Braniff Airlines, while living in Bowie, Texas. During his time in Bowie, he also ran a fruit farm and cattle ranch with his family. He completed his career as a pilot with Australian Airlines out of Melbourne, Australia, where he retired in 1992 from both the airline and USAF Reserves.  He then moved to Rotan, TX and lived there until his passing.  During his time in Rotan, he built airplanes, inspired the community with his insights and stories, developed a wind farm north of Rotan and spent time with his beloved wife Erma.

Scotty was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roy Earl Daniel, Jr.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-four years, Erma Lee Daniel; children, Dale Daniel (Carole), Liesel Gruben (Greg); and grandchildren, Jacob Lehrer, Joshua Lehrer, Olivia Daniel, and Garrett Daniel.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gordon Daniel, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Funeral Service

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

First Baptist Church of Rotan

201 N McKinley Ave, Rotan, TX 79546

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Interment

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene

7457 W Lake Rd, Abilene, TX 79601

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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