As a firefighter, and a man of faith, Scott Daniell was trained to navigate in the darkest circumstances. His job was to calm the fears of others, take on challenges and bring their fears under control.
James Scott Daniell, known to most as Scott, of Marietta died at home Wednesday from esophageal cancer. He was 52. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Whitley Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
Daniell grew up in Douglasville and graduated from Douglas County High School in 1978. He joined the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in 1982. For much of his career, he drove the ladder truck and later, the air truck, which supplies oxygen tanks to firefighters. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding his motorcycle and traveling with his family.
It was on a family vacation that Daniell complained about difficulty swallowing. “He didn’t drink or smoke and his doctors immediately referred him to a specialist, who diagnosed him with Stage IV esophageal cancer in September 2009,” said to his wife, Avora Daniell. Shortly after the diagnosis, he retired as a sergeant from the fire department.
In 2010, he had surgery to remove his esophagus and infected lymph nodes. Doctors used a portion of his stomach to create a new esophagus. While the cancer taxed his body, Daniell took great care to help friends and family deal with his illness. “His faith was strong and he would actually care about others before himself. He would assure everyone that he knew Jesus,” said his friend, Brian Albertson of Carrollton.
Avora Daniell said her husband always had a very big heart. “That was one of the traits that attracted me to him,” she said. “He would help anyone in need, whether someone had a flat tire on the side of the road or were hitchhiking.” The couple met at a Bible study for singles at church. Both had children from previous marriages, and they became a blended family when they married in 1992.
“He was real quiet, kept a lot of things in but was a real caring man. He was real dedicated to God and family, the fire department and people. He was a true American hero,” said Albertson.
Daniell’s humble spirit prompted friends, coworkers and family to organize various benefits, including motorcycle rides, to help with medical expenses.
After the initial diagnosis, Daniell created a “bucket list” of things he wanted to do, which included attending his first University of Georgia football game in September 2012 and taking his grandchildren to visit the Magic Kingdom. “We took a trip to Walt Disney World in December 2012,” his wife said. “I pushed him in the wheelchair and we enjoyed family time recuperating from the holidays. I think he was kind of holding out for that trip because it was real important for him to have his grandkids see Mickey Mouse.”
“He was more than a friend, he was like a brother,” said Jeff Eskew of Douglasville. “He was my son’s godfather and my son is named after him. He was a friend to everybody.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Andy of Woodstock, Jake and Ryan of Douglasville and Tyler of Fort Bragg, N.C.; parents, Perry and Phyllis Daniell of Douglasville; brothers Neil Daniell, Kenny Daniell and Wade Daniell, all of Douglasville; sister, Wendy Daniell of Douglasville; and six grandchildren.
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