Dr. O'Daniel, Jr.

Dr. Joseph Ray O'Daniel, Jr., met the loving embrace of our heavenly father on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Joe laid down peacefully in his garden at home. A resident of Pensacola since 1970, Joe practiced medicine in private practice at Sacred Heart Hospital where he was beloved for his sense of humor and calm demeanor, as well as his intuitive gift for sensing the nature of an illness and how best to heal. Born February 10, 1938, in Charleston, W.Va., to Joseph Ray O'Daniel, Sr., and Bess Cline O'Daniel (both deceased), Joe served in the United States Army from 1958-61, including a tour of Korea, and met the love of his life, Eleanor Frances Hypes O'Daniel, on a blind date during home leave in West Virginia. They married in May 1960 and had three daughters, Cyra (Anita) O'Daniel, Amy (David) Stulajter, and Joelle (Steven) O'Daniel-Lopez. Joe was a graduate of the University of Kentucky (B.S. '66, M.D. '70) and served his medical residency, specializing in pediatrics, in Pensacola from 1970 to 1973. After several years of private practice in Gulf Breeze, where he was a founding member of the Gulf Breeze International Rotary, Joe joined the Sacred Heart Emergency staff full time in 1976. Joe was Board Certified in three disciplines: pediatrics, emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine. Joe was a convert to the Catholic faith, baptized in 1964 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in St. Albans, W.Va. Joe faithfully attended St. Paul's church in Pensacola from 1970-76 and joined St. Ann's Parish when the family moved to Gulf Breeze in 1976. The family wishes to give special thanks to Msgrs. Michael Reed and Luke Hunt for their guidance along our spiritual journey. Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eleanor; brother, Tom (Debbie) O'Daniel; sister, Linda (Paul) Schrade, and their four children; three grandchildren, Andy O'Daniel, Aiden O'Daniel-Lopez and Elora Grace O'Daniel-Lopez. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Rose Lawn in Gulf Breeze with a Rosary prayed at 5 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze with interment following at Holy Cross Cemetery in Pensacola. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities or your favorite charity in honor of our beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Visitation

Rosary

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Thursday, December 11, 2014
5:00 PM

Visitation & Viewing

Rose Lawn Funeral Home
2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32563
Thursday, December 11, 2014
4:30 PM

Service

Funeral Mass

St. Ann Catholic Church
100 Daniel Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
Friday, December 12, 2014
10:00 AM

Cemetery

Interment

Holy Cross Cemetery
1300 E. Hayes Street
Pensacola, FL