McDaniel, Alan Robert

Alan Robert McDaniel, 66, of Blacksburg, died Monday, July 20, 2015, at Lewis Gale Hospital-Montgomery. He was born in Atlantic, Iowa, on November 5, 1948. He is preceded in death by his father, Lester L. McDaniel; and a brother, Paul McDaniel.

Alan received his Bachelor of Science from Iowa State in 1970 and PhD from University of Tennessee in 1975. He was a Professor of Horticulture and coordinating advisor for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech for 37 years and taught Flora Design. He also served as faculty advisor to the Virginia Tech Honor System. Alan served his community as chair of the State and National FFA nursery landscape contest, volunteered time teach Master Gardeners, serves as Master of Ceremonies to the Miss Newport Pageant, and played percussion for the Blacksburg Community Band.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanie Harris McDaniel, of Blacksburg; mother, Wilma McDaniel, of Sun City, Ariz.; sons and daughter-in-law, Ian K. McDaniel, of Lawrence, Kan., Ryan K. McDaniel and wife, Lynsie, of Jasper, Ga.; brothers and sister-in-law, David McDaniel, of Glendale, Ariz., Gary McDaniel and wife, Jean, of Bedford, Va.; grandchildren, Peyton, Will and Graham.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2015, in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Steve Schmitt officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2015 at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr., SW, Blacksburg.