Joe Lee McDaniel

On a cold and snowy January 25, 1937, Joe Lee McDaniel was born to Lyle and Ruby McDaniel in Cave Springs, Arkansas. After graduating from Bentonville High School, he completed business college in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1956 and married Bonnie Lewis of Springdale, Arkansas. The couple moved to Oklahoma, where Joe joined Cities Service Oil & Gas Company, later Occidental Petroleum. He worked there for the next 30 years.

Throughout his life, Joe threw himself headlong into his passions—drag racing, checkers, and long-distance running—making countless lifelong friends along the way. He often used those passions to serve others.

An avid runner, Joe completed the Boston Marathon in 1980. He also ran the Tulsa Run 40 consecutive times, finishing the 15-kilometer course in less than an hour on four occasions.

In 2016, Joe was inducted into the USATF Oklahoma Long Distance Running Wall of Fame in recognition of his many years of service to the running community. He became president of the Tulsa Roadrunners in 1981. That same year, he began many years of service as the long-distance running chair for TAC/USATF and established and maintained Oklahoma’s comprehensive long-distance running record-keeping system.

In 1984, Joe helped start Oklahoma Runner magazine, serving as its assistant editor and statistics editor for 16 years. Over a 40-year period, he staffed road races throughout the Tulsa area and beyond, helping to time more than 1,000 races with Glen’s Road Racing Service. He founded the Oklahoma Sub-20 5K Club for women and the Sub-11 Two-Mile Club for male masters. He also created, promoted, and administered several races of his own.

Joe became an avid checkers player in his youth while playing with his father. Over his lifetime, he developed into an outstanding player and eventually began sponsoring national tournaments in Tulsa, Branson, Missouri, and other locations across the United States. He also supported international tournaments and made friends throughout the world.

In his later years, Joe would set up his checkerboard at River Parks, the Gathering Place, and Tulsa Expo Square and invite passersby to play. He loved meeting people this way and was always looking for an opponent willing to challenge him.

Joe is survived by his second wife, Jeannie McDaniel, whom he married in 1986, and his loving family: children, Michael McDaniel (Wendy), Theresa Smith (Clay), Christine Marsh (Zack Green), David Seres, and Kenneth Seres (Stephanie Bui); eight grandchildren, Molly McDaniel (Leon Hunter), Andrew McDaniel, Renae Smith, Trent Smith (Hannah), Jackson Marsh, Benjamin Marsh, Georgia Seres, and Nate Seres; and his great-granddaughter, Stella Smith, whose arrival filled his final months with joy.

Joe ran a good race throughout his life. He stayed in touch with friends from his hometown and with the many friends he made far beyond it. He supported people of all ages in their lives and asked nothing in return. He simply enjoyed people and had a tremendous zest for life.

Joe passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 21, 2026. He was a kind and dear man, and our family is blessed with years of wonderful memories. We smile when we think of Papa.

No services are planned. Just smile at someone when you think of him.