Honoring Kerry McDaniel

“May you rest in peace. We have the watch from here, sir.”

Mary Beth Sallee

Reporter

Jobe Publishing, Inc.

 

On February 4, the Hart County community mourned the loss of one of its own.

Kerry McDaniel, Emergency Management Director and Solid Waste Coordinator, passed away from complications due to COVID-19.

Kerry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son who enjoyed hunting fishing, and working on the farm. He was also a loyal friend to all who were blessed to know him.

To the rest of Hart County, Kerry was an exemplary model of generosity and selflessness.

From buying leather gloves for church members as they worked to volunteering with the Wounded Warrior Project, to his tender heart for his Scottie dogs and his respect for all people, to know Kerry was to see one of God’s servants at work in Hart County.

Horse Cave Mayor Randall Curry has known Kerry for decades and said it was evident the passion that he had for helping others.

“I never had a brother. I only had one sister,” Curry said. “But if anybody was as close to me as a brother, it was Kerry McDaniel. We’ve been a part of each other’s lives for a long time, and the passion he had to help people I guess mirrors some of the things I try to do. He and I was so passionate to help the community and help people.”

“Without a doubt, it’s going to be a void,” Curry added. “…But I’ll always carry his spirit in my heart because it mirrors some of the same things that I have in mine. It’s not about us. It’s about who we can help.”

Hart County Judge/Executive Joe Choate said that Kerry served the county well for many years.

“Everyone has commented that Kerry was one-of-a-kind, and we don’t see how we can ever replace him,” Choate said. “Kerry served as Director of Emergency Management, Solid Waste Coordinator, Board Member of Green River Valley Water Board, 911 Assistant Coordinator, and Flood Plane Coordinator. Really, what ever was asked of Kerry, he was there for all of us. He will be missed.”

Kerry was laid to rest Sunday afternoon at the McDaniel Family Cemetery.

While no one will ever be able to replace all that he was to Hart County, Kerry’s legacy will certainly live on. It will live on through the love of his family and friends. It will live on through every road that he traveled in the county. It will live on through every emergency siren that sounds. It will live on within every life that he touched. Hart County is a better place because of Kerry McDaniel.

On behalf of Jobe Publishing, the Hart County News-Herald staff extends our deepest condolences to the McDaniel family.

In his honor, we leave with you the words of the final end of watch call for Kerry McDaniel, #352.

“Please clear the channel. Hold all radio traffic. Bowling Green 352. Bowling Green 352. This is the last and final call for Hart County 352. There is no response from Hart County Emergency Management Director Kerry McDaniel. Mr. McDaniel is out of service after faithfully and selflessly serving the citizens of Hart County for 15 years. Emergency Management Director McDaniel, your dedicated service and your family’s sacrifices during the past 15 years for Hart County are greatly appreciated. Though you are gone, you will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace. We have the watch from here, sir.”Director Kerry McDaniel. Mr. McDaniel is out of service after faithfully and selflessly serving the citizens of Hart County for 15 years. Emergency Management Director McDaniel, your dedicated service and your family’s sacrifices during the past 15 years for Hart County are greatly appreciated. Though you are gone, you will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace. We have the watch from here, sir.”