Birth date: Apr 11, 1944 Death date: May 3, 2022
R. Wayne McDaniel passed away peacefully on May 3rd at the age of 78, surrounded by and getting hugs from his beloved wife of 27 years, Melissa, his son, Chris and wife Jill, and his bonus children, Lisa and George. In addition, P Read Obituary
Thank you all for such wonderful, warm sentiments about my father. So many familiar names and stories that I heard growing up intrigued by his days at Murphy and UF. The 82 yd TD, poaching bream out of Lake Alice late at night, cruising The Varsity back in the day, etc. Wayne loved deeply and, in return, was loved by many people. His was a life well lived. Thank you all for being such a significant part of that journey.
Chris Wayne McDaniel
In the fall of 1962, Wayne and I lived in Sledd Hall our first semester as freshmen. We became friends forever our freshman year at UF. I have many fond memories of times with Wayne over the years. May the Lord bless and keep the family during this time, and may the many fond memories give you peace.
Bill Belote
I only knew Wayne the one year at MHS, our senior year. It was easy to see he was a leader and great at sports. I remember the NF game he had a 82 yd TD to help us move on to the City Championship game. Wayne was a great friend and inspiration to all his teammates and friends in several sports. I am proud to have know him and called him friend. He will be missed by all.
A great leader and player at Murphy High School. Many great memories from sports that we shared together.Deepest regrets to all family and friends.
Wayne was an outstanding leader at our high school in Atlanta. He was way ahead of all of us in his class, making the varsity in football, basketball and baseball, while the rest of us languished on the B team. He was an awesome quarterback and catcher and was responsible for our great success at Murphy High. Beside those great accomplishments, he was a great pal. We enjoyed many nights shooting pool at York’s pool room in downtown Atlanta and cruising around the Varsity while listening to Jimmy Reed on WLAC in Nashville. He and Wayne Waldrip and I played in the North-south All-star football game together. He will be greatly missed.
So very saddened by Wayne’s passing. Friends since the 60’s, spending many nights playing bridge, grilling out and having great times together. I’m sure he and Jim (Biggart) along with Coach Fuller, have already had a glorious reunion and if there is a Lake Alice in Heaven, he and Biggart are probably illegally fishing in it tonight, dodging the search lights of the Golden Street’s Campus Cops. Heaven knows they had plenty of practice doing this in Gainesville! RIP Gator Mac. ♥️
My lifelong friendship with Wayne dates back to when we were teammates on the UF Freshman Football team. He was a very talented athlete. A serious injury early on kept him from achieving all that he otherwise might have as a Gator athlete, but certainly not as a Gator. He is totally deserving of the respect, admiration, and gratitude being expressed by so many for the impressive, enduring accomplishments of his career. He was also just plain fun to be around. We last spent time together a few years ago, when my wife and I spent a wonderful weekend with Wayne, Melissa, and the pups in Wolf Laurel. I’m grateful to have that memory to add to the many others I have of him and deeply saddened that there will be no more.
Steve Heidt
UF'67
Wayne, a Real Gator for all seasons. He enhanced my life as a member of the UF team.
