Clyde Derick St. Clair Daniel

Clyde Derick St. Clair Daniel died on Friday, July 19, 2019. He was born on April 12, 1950 in Guyana, South America where he worked as Personnel Officer at Reynolds Bauxite Company. He moved to New York City and earned his master's degree in political science while working as a security guard at night to support his family. In 1984, he moved to Tallahassee, Florida where his career in state government began. He was quickly promoted to serve in senior and executive management positions first at the Department of Management Services, Department of State and then as the Executive Director of the Commission for Human Relations. Derick was a family man. His biggest role models in his life were his mother, Lucille and his sister, Evelyn. It is from both women that he developed a strong, determined spirit. He developed his work ethic from his mother who was loving, yet firm. She always believed in her children and inspired them to be exceptional in any endeavor they pursued. He carried this belief system with him his entire life and encouraged anyone he met to work smarter, not harder. From his sister, Evelyn, he learned that he was capable of achieving any goal and that obstacles were challenges to prepare you for the road ahead. He also learned the art of baking and cooking from his mother, and used these skills to bring family together over delicious Guyanese home cooked meals. He and his sister, Brenda, made some of their mom's favorite dishes that he loved so much. He married Barbara Lord and embraced the role of being a father to his son, Gregory, from a former marriage and his four step-children. He and Barbara had one son together, Derrick. Later, Karen was adopted. He loved being a father and said that being a father taught him how to be an effective leader, listener, communicator, negotiator, and team player in every role he ever served in his adult life. He said choosing Barbara to be his wife meant being a committed husband and a dedicated father to a large family, the two most important roles he had in his life. He was present to welcome his grandchildren into the world and to take turns with his grandchildren to give each of his children time to rest and work. He joyfully invested time and resources in his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and encouraged them early on in their young lives to discover their talent and to believe in themselves. Derick also loved to travel. He had the opportunity to see many parts of the U.S. due to his work and traveled to many states to attend conferences. He fought breast and prostate cancer and leukemia but never believed in allowing his condition to define him or limit his ability to enjoy his life. Some of his fondest memories was traveling with Barbara to the Caribbean islands with the kids in tow to visit family and friends; visiting family in Toronto and England; and going to new places like Vancouver in Canada, and to Panama with his son, Lloyd and grandson, Tye. He enjoyed traveling to Barcelona, Spain to fulfill his dream to stand in the Camp Nou stadium and watch his favorite soccer team, Barcelona, and his favorite player, Lionel Messi, play and win a soccer match. In 2017, he returned to Guyana to visit his homeland. He traveled often with Barbara to visit his children and extended family. If he could have been granted one wish during his last battle with cancer it would have been to travel somewhere breathtaking and amazing one last time. Derick loved history and political science, and had a passion for social justice. He loved a debate and respected and welcomed conversations with family and friends of different belief systems. He loved soca, kaiso, and calypso music, was an avid fan of futbol (aka soccer) and cricket, loved spending time with family, and enjoyed trying new cuisines. He had a unique sense of humor, and never shied away from a good laugh. Derick is preceded by his mother, Lucille Johanna Daniel; his sister, Evelyn Imogene Douglas; and his father, Edgar Harrison Sinclair Daniel. Derick is survived by his wife, Barbara and his children, Andre, Lloyd, Penelope, Gregory, Elizabeth, Derrick, and Karen; his grandchildren, Tye, Kamari, Makayla, Alisa, Amaya, Lauren, Corey, Conner, Ana, Ava, Austin; his sister, Brenda; his brother, Keith; his niece, Melissa and her daughter, Ayanna; niece, Karen and her son, Timothy; Stacey, Simone, Shewina, Sherland, and Shauna; his nephew, Nicholas and his children, Dillion, Ashton, Kellen, Kaiden, and Breann; and his nephew, Chris and his daughter, Shiloh. Funeral services will be held at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Tallahassee on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow prior to interment at Southside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (850-385-2193 www.bevisfh.com)

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Clyde Derick St. Clair Daniel

April 12, 1950 - July 19, 2019