Karl Daniel

Karl Frederick (Fred) Daniel, 82, passed away on Dec 10, 2018 at his home in Jacksonville, Florida. The oldest of three sons, he was born in Pikeville, KY to Charles and Georgia Daniel. He was raised in both New Jersey and California, attended East Texas State College (now part of Texas A&M), and received his Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. He moved to Florida in 1967 to pursue his PhD at Florida State University, where he earned his Doctorate in Education. His career as an administrator for The Florida Department of Education began shortly thereafter, which is where he learned to love computers. He taught himself computer programming, and was a key contributor to the department’s first email program. He retired in 1987 and relocated to Jacksonville, where he started EZWay Salon Software, the first commercially available software designed specifically for hair salons. He sold the company and retired in 2010.
He met his wife of 58 years while serving as both the Principal and the Band Director at the University of Minnesota High School, where she taught physical education. Together they raised three daughters, sharing their love for music and teaching them to see the good in everyone. Fred was a very involved father, volunteering as a softball coach and a band parent, and taking the girls on camping and canoe trips around Florida.
Fred had many hobbies during his lifetime. As a lover of birds, he was a lifetime member of the American Poultry Association, raised and raced pigeons as a member of the Jacksonville Racing Pigeon Association, and bred American Singer canaries that he sold throughout the state. His penchant for do-it-yourself projects led him to buy and fix up property, which he rented out, and eventually sold to his renters, giving them an opportunity to be first-time homeowners. As the music committee chair for his church, he researched church music and selected the solos performed at each service.
In 1994, he assumed the role that would define the latter part of his life, that of caregiver for his wife - a role he cherished and maintained until only a year before his passing. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he was also a support and role model for his three grandsons, teaching by example what it means to love unconditionally.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, his daughters, Nancy Hecker (Nick) of Orlando, Brenda Dawes of Tallahassee, and Jennifer Norton (Scott) of Jacksonville, his brother Neal Daniel of Tacoma, WA, and three grandsons - Sam Hecker, Wesley Norton, and Daniel Norton. His brother, Dale Daniel, precedes him in death.
Friends may send contributions to Community Hospice and Palliative Care (www.communityhospice.com), The Michael J Fox Foundation (www.michaeljfox.org), The Lupus Foundation (www.lupus.org), or 4th Church of Christ Scientist, Jacksonville, FL.