George Benjamin Daniel December 19, 1929 – February 08, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook In Loving Memory of George Benjamin Daniel George Benjamin Daniel, who went by Benny, was born in Walla Walla, Washington in 1929. He was named after his grandfathers: George Wesley Daniel and Cyrus Benjamin Lane. Since he had no sons his oldest grandson was named Daniel and his oldest great-grandson was named Linus Benjamin, so his name continues in the family.
His father was a dairy farmer and his mother had been a nurse. He had an older brother, Melvin and a younger brother Joe. He loved reminiscing over the days of his youth, fishing and hunting with his best friend George Williams and pouring over each issue of Field and Stream magazine.
But farming was not his forte. And when one of his classmates, who Benny believed wasn’t any smarter than he was, announced that he was going to Central Washington College, Benny decided to go as well. At CWC he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts and Education and later a Master’s Degree.
There he developed an appreciation for fine craftsmanship in wood, metal, and leather. But most important of all, while studying in Ellensburg he met his wonderful wife Wanda with whom he eventually shared 68 years of marriage. After college he served 4 years in the Air Force as a draftsman and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.
While stationed in California his first daughter, Gaye Lynn was born. While stationed in South Carolina, Glee Joanne was born. Then he returned to Washington where he found his first teaching job in the logging town of Morton.
His 3rd daughter Dana Joy was born there. After 3 years in Morton he gratefully accepted an opportunity to teach at Wilson High School in Tacoma with a well-equipped wood shop. He prided himself in not only teaching his students how to work with tools and wood safely, but also how to recognize the different species of trees that the lumber came from, their leaf structure, bark, seeds, and even their Latin names.
He also was one of the first teachers in Tacoma to allow girls to take wood shop. When Foss High School opened he transferred there to teach photography. He taught his students to become “hot shot photographers” as well as how to develop their own pictures in a dark room.
Benny often worked on the side to earn extra funds for his dream home with a view of the sound and to help pay for the college education of his 3 daughters. So evenings and weekends he taught driver’s education and adult classes on building fiberglass kayaks and archery bows. He also taught engineering graphics at TCC and Fort Steilacoom Community College.
With his friends Ed Moomough, Ed Longmore and others he also completed countless remodels and even designed and built 2 beautiful houses. When faced with an especially difficult job he always assured the customer that “We specialized in the difficult; the impossible just takes longer”. After he retired from teaching, he finally did find a nice piece of property in Gig Harbor with a view of the Sound.
He remodeled the existing house and made it a beautiful haven for family and friends. He maintained a wooded lot with all of his favorite trees and plants. All family members and guests were given guided tours of “The Woods”.
On holidays, Benny often took his family or friends on hikes in the National Forests in search of record sized trees. In addition to his passion for trees, building, fishing and photography he also enjoyed jewelry making, leather crafts, gardening, astronomy, playing hearts, ping pong, and golf – which he always explained was a “gentleman’s game”. He and his wife Wanda had the gift of hospitality and even operated a bed and breakfast in their home.
But his greatest devotion was to his family and friends. He often let us know how much he appreciated even the smallest act of kindness with one of his favorite quotes: “You are a good man to have on the team”. Besides his wife and 3 daughters he is survived by 11 grandchildren and their spouses as well as 20 great grandchildren.
We all miss him, appreciate how he has enriched our lives, and look forward to seeing him again in the Lord’s time.
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