Mark R. Daniels

Mark Rene Daniels started his journey on April 28, 1964, in Ferriday, Louisiana. His journey ended on August 28, 2023, in Natchitoches, Louisiana. In between, Mark lived an adventurous life on his terms. Mark loved motorcycles, romance, and animals. He was a lifelong motorcyclist; his favorite motorcycle was a 1959 Panhead. He surrounded himself with beautiful, intelligent women and enjoyed the company of women, but none more so than his true love, Nancy Crook. Mark had a soft spot for children and animals, particularly cats. At one point, Mark shared his home with many cats and his faithful German Shepherd, Shadow. He was known to bottle-feed kittens and nurse them to health.

Mark was a man who loved words, and he used a lot of them. He never met a stranger. One friend said a conversation with Mark was like ten conversations with another person. He was easy to get to know. He was particularly kind to wait staff at restaurants. He always cheered for the underdog. He would stop to give roadside assistance to anyone. That's not to say that he didn't have his flaws. He could be cantankerous, stubborn, and headstrong. He was opinionated, and everyone in the room would know his opinion. He could be blunt and lack sensitivity. Then, he could turn on the charm in a flash and hold an insightful conversation.

In college, Mark formed lifelong bonds with members of the Tri-Chi Brotherhood, a non-school affiliated group that shared common interests. Mark enjoyed sociology, anthropology, and law enforcement at Northwestern State University.

Mark served in the Louisiana National Guard (3/156 Infantry Battalion) from 1986 to 1992 and was activated during the Persian Gulf War. He served as a grenadier, a personnel carrier driver, and a team leader, among other duties.

Upon leaving the Louisiana National Guard, Mark worked as a diesel mechanic and specialized in repairing and maintaining gas and oilfield hydraulic and power equipment. Also, he served as a deputy sheriff with the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

His sisters, Sherrill Daniels Mawn and Jean Daniels Bernard survive him. He is also survived by two nephews and two nieces:  Micah Wise, Daniel Wise, Linsey Wise Jones, and Ashley Bernard; grand niece and nephew:  Candace Ponthieux Tassin and Dallas Freeman; great-grandniece and nephew, Adalynn Grace Tassin and Tobias Tassin; cousins:  Cherrie Sue Cook-Flores, Christian Cook, Eric Lewis, Darryl Lewis, and Thomas Lewis. He was preceded in death by his father, Theodore Wayne Daniels; his mother, Gloria Hulbert Daniels; his sister, Lynn Daniels Wise; and his nephew, Daniel Joseph Bernard.

Mark was much loved and will be missed.