Raymond O'Daniel

Visitation:
Tuesday, August 1, 2006
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Wayne Boze Funeral Home
1826 W. Hwy. 287 Business
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Service:
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
10:00 AM
Waxahachie Civic Center
2000 Civic Center Ln
Waxahachie, TX 75165


Raymond Michael O'Daniel, age 61
October 16, 1944
July 29, 2006




For 61 blessed years, Mike O'Daniel brought joy to all who knew him. But on Saturday, July 31, 2006, he met his Lord and Savior while fishing on Richland Chambers Lake. Raymond Michael O'Daniel was born on October 16, 1944 in Waxahachie, Texas, to Raymond "Buck" and Clavenia O'Daniel. Inspired by his father's love of music, he began playing guitar at age 6, was performing by age 10, and was a professional musician by age 16. While in high school, he obtained his Barber's license and began working with his father at the O'Daniel Barber Shop. After graduating from Waxahachie High School in 1963 he attended Navarro College and North Texas University while continuing to pursue his music career. In 1967 Mike married Beverly Berry, also of Waxahachie. Two daughters, Michelle and Lindsey, were born to the couple during their 34-year marriage. He continued to work with his father until 1974 when Mike was elected to three consecutive terms as the District Clerk for Ellis County where he served until 1983. He joined the staff of KBEC radio, 1390 AM, in 1985 as the anchor of the Saturday morning Classic Country Show. He and his radio sidekick, Ken Roberts, broadcast the Classic Country Coffee Cup morning show, the Flea Market, and were the official voices for the Waxahachie Indians. Their broadcast team was notorious for their quick-wit, love of sports, and kindness to all their listeners. In addition, Mike was involved in the film and commercial casting business in the Dallas area and served as the casting director for a plethora of television projects.

In his performing career, Mike has played with a wide variety of musicians. In high school he formed his own band, The HighLifes. Since that time, Mike has been privileged to perform with Tommy Morrell, Hank Thompson, Smokey Montgomery & the Light Crust Doughboys and a host of others. His biggest thrill was being a recurring guest performer with Leon Rausch and Bob Wills' Texas Playboys. Mike's prowess at the guitar as well as his singing, came to the attention of Hollywood in the 1980's. Actor Robert Duval went on tour with Mike for eight weeks to research the role of a Texas honky-tonk musician for his Oscar-winning role in the film Tender Mercies. From Los Angeles to New York, where he entertained the cast of The Natural, starring Robert Redford, to Uvalde, Texas, where he regularly played for the cast and crew of Lonesome Dove. His biggest honor was to bring his band to play for Wilford Brimley Day in Salt Lake City, Utah. Additionally, he was also asked to play for the dedication of the Lefty Frizzell statue in Corsicana.

KBEC, known for its tradition of playing Classic Country music and Western Swing, was the perfect venue for Mike. In 2004, the station was named "Best Classic Country Radio Station in North Texas." Mike also served as an emcee for various music festivals, including the Lincoln County Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico and the Legends of Western Swing at Snyder and Wichita Falls. Mike was honored and humbled to receive the following recognitions: Who's Who of Waxahachie High School in 2003, Texas Country Music Association Hall of Fame as a singer/guitarist in 2004, Cowtown Society of Western Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and inducted into the Light Crust Doughboys Hall of Fame in 2006.

Mike is preceded in death by his daughter, Michelle O'Daniel Jenkins in 2003, and his mother, Clavenia Tapp O'Daniel in 1985. He is survived by the mother of his children, Beverly Berry O'Daniel,of Euless, TX, his daughter and son-in-law, Lindsey and Clifton Browning, of Trophy Club, TX, two grandchildren, Jacob Bryan and Jacy Linda Jenkins, his father Raymond "Buck O'Daniel, sister Marcia O'Daniel, all of Waxahachie, and long time friend, Carla James, of Lancaster, TX.

A celebration of Mike's life will begin with visitation on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at the Waxahachie Civic Center, Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at the Waxahachie Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Gary Giles, Skip Noel, Jimmie Rex Odom, Scott Taylor, John Todd, and Tommy Winn. Memorial gifts can be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.