FRANKLIN -- Long-time Franklin, Tennessee, resident, arts enthusiast, and artist manager Ken McDaniel died in his Georgia home on Jan. 27, 2022, where he lived for the past six years.
Ken, 86, served as the artist manager for his wife, artist/instructor gail McDaniel, helping plan and promote watercolor painting classes at Brentwood United Methodist Church, workshops at Plaza Artist Materials in downtown Nashville, and artist conferences at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and South America. Along with gail, he helped raise more than $90,000 for local public schools through the “Students and Friends of gail McDaniel Awards,” an annual fundraising auction for art teachers.
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| Ken McDaniel |
“Ken McDaniel was a talented man who contributed greatly to the Franklin and Nashville arts communities in a behind-the-scenes way,” said Chuck Whiting, a publicist who worked with Ken and gail McDaniel for more than 20 years. “He was especially gifted at planning and running events for his wife. Together, they helped change the lives of emerging, intermediate and advanced watercolor painters around the world, as well as children in public schools.
Ken and gail moved to Griffin, Georgia, to be closer to family members. The artist continued to teach there, with her husband planning and booking watercolor painting classes and workshops for her at Griffin First United Methodist Church and Plaza Artist Materials in Nashville.
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| Ken and gail McDaniel with the Hager Twins |
He penned two books before his died, “Angels Delivered” (about his two adopted children), and “My Child Came Out” (a resource to help bring better understanding to parents who learn their child is gay). Ken, who volunteered for a local LGBTQ outreach organization called Nashville Cares, dedicated the books to his son and late daughter, well as “all adopted children everywhere, to all birth moms and dads who loved these children so much they placed them in a better place, and to all those blessed, loving parents who have, are and will welcome all of those children into their homes.” The books will be released sometime in the future.
Ken often said that he saw his life as a work in progress, admitting to mistakes, expressing love for his wife and children, building his faith in God, and hoping to use his books to help others. It was his final mission before dying of inoperable cancer. Part of “Angel’s Delivered” is devoted to his personal struggle to overcome the tragic loss of his daughter, Rebecca, in an automobile accident.
In the foreword of “Angels Delivered,” Ken wrote, “In sharing my story of loss and recovery through acceptance and finally peace, I hope I can help others who have experienced tragedies of their own. I assure you that I know and understand I am not the final answer. Nor am I the “only” answer. In fact, I may not even be the answer for you. But the thought that I have my life back on track, and maybe I can help someone else out there, prompted me to write words on paper.”
Ken is survived by his wife, gail, and his son, Craig. His daughter, Rebecca, was killed on May 14, 1997. His parents were Major General Carl B. and Ruth D. McDaniel. Ken was able to enjoy gail’s three children, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He spent part of his professional life in sales, a profession he enjoyed so much that he often said, “I don’t understand why people pay me to do something I so love. I am very blessed and lucky!”
Ken and Gail were members of the Brentwood United Methodist Church and more recently the Griffin First United Methodist Church and the Forum Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the ‘LP Pencil Box of The Pencil Foundation’, 421 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228. Please mark your check: “For the purchase of art supplies.” Individuals can also visit https://pencilforschools.org to learn more and make a donation.
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