Jeff Daniels Jr.

Jeff Daniels, Jr., was born on March 16, 1931, to Mary Woods and Jeff Daniels, Sr. in Newark, New Jersey and left this life to his eternal home on October 10, 2021. Jeff graduated in 1951, from Barringer High School in Newark, New Jersey, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Delaware State College in 1969 and taught high school history. Jeff served faithfully in the United States Air Force for 23 years. During his years of service, he served in the Korean War, received the Good Conduct, Commendation, and other Medals earning full Military burial honors. He was a member of the Tuskegee Airman Club, and The Disabled American Veterans. He retired as Master Sargent Jeff Daniels, Jr. on August 1, 1975, to become Pop Pop to his first grandchild. In 1976, Jeff began his second career and retired as Dean of Students at Delaware State University in 1993, after 15 years of faithful service. Jeff then pursued his passion and gift of gardening and founded the JD’s Lawn Service. He was a ‘Master Gardener’ indeed! Jeff was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and pledged with the Magnificent Ten. The students called him “Mean Dean”. Jeff’s hobbies included reading, playing golf, watching the Yankees on his iPad and talking to his grands and great-grands. He was a collector of African-American art, rare coins & stamps and enjoyed refurbishing antique cars. His latest antique: the yellow 1974 Volkswagen Beetle, “Daddy’s Girl”. Jeff’s journey of faith began in the Methodist Church and then he converted to the Catholic faith when he married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Trent, May 10, 1952, and remained faithful to Audrey for 69 years of marriage. He was baptized into the Catholic faith June 9, 1952, and confirmed August 19, 1961, according to the rites of the Catholic Church in RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, England. He has been a member of Church of the Holy Cross in Dover, Delaware, with his beloved wife Audrey for over 40 years. Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Woods and father, Jeff Daniels, Sr.; two brothers, James Daniels, Sr. and Jesse Daniels, Sr.; his eldest son, Bruce Darnell Daniels; sisters-in-law, Gloria, Patricia and Kathleen Johnson; and brothers-in-law, Theodore, Reginal, Curtis, and Robert Trent. Jeff takes his rest from his labor and leaves his beloved wife, Audrey Daniels; two children, Cheryl Jefflyn Washington and husband James Washington; his trusted and faithful caregiver, his son, Michael Gene Daniels and wife Janet Daniels, known as his favorite daughter-in-law; nine grandchildren, Keisha (David) Michelle Allen, Amarhi (Tifonie) Jamal Washington, Avery Washington, Monique (Kevin) Nicole Davis, Michael Gene Daniels II, Mickia (Tobias) Janeen Loper, Miesha Janelle Daniels, Monet (Gerald) Janesse Dumervil, Maurice Bruce Darnell Daniels; sisters-in-law, Shirley Daniels and Sharon Johnson; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Jeff Daniels Jr.

March 16, 1931 - October 10, 2021