John DanielHesston, KS

John Schrimsher Daniel, aged 79, passed away June 5, 2026, after a series of illnesses. John died peacefully surrounded by family and friends at St. Francis hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

John was the son of Retired Army Major Earnest and Dorothy (Schrimsher) Daniel, brother to Betty (Daniel) Camp, husband to Patricia Lynn (Hudson) Daniel, father to John Schrimsher Daniel II, father-in-law to Vicki (Smith) Daniel, and life-long friend to Bob and Jane Rutherford. John is preceded in death by his parents and sister.

In 1947, John was born in Warrensburg, Missouri to a traveling military family. While stationed in Spain, John learned the Spanish guitar and had the talent to play professionally but chose to return to the States to continue his formal education. John spent his formative years in the Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout designation in 1964.

John served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to1970 earning the National Defense Service Medal, and Marksman (Rifle) distinction. He was honorably discharged for medical considerations.

After earning a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!), John joined his father-in-law, Stanton Hudson, working for Ozark Fisheries as a fisheries biologist. Starting in 1970, John managed fisheries in Kansas, Indiana, Georgia, and Alabama before settling in Cheney, Kansas to start a family-owned fishery in 1976.

In 1979, John transitioned to working in the aerospace industry where he developed a passion for building aircraft and spent over 30 years in this endeavor. Despite moving onto more Executive roles, his proudest moment came as the Senior Program Manager for the Cessna Citation X, facilitating the development and certification of this groundbreaking aircraft. After his retirement in 2010, John and his wife, Patty, moved to Winfield, KS and opened a shop that specialized in birds, antiques, and plants.

John enjoyed traveling, photography, target shooting, birdwatching, classic Westerns, and the start of the college basketball season. Think of him when you enjoy these things! And as a final toast to our beloved John, "Always remember to forget the things that made you sad. But never forget to remember the things that made you glad."

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Caring Hands Humane Society, Newton, KS, in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.

Services are pending with Miller-Ott Funeral Home in Hesston.