James Arthur Daniels

James Arthur Daniels, age 74, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026. He was born on December 4, 1951.

James recently celebrated 50 years of marriage to his wife, Alicia Daniels, building a life centered on family, commitment, and care as a provider and protector.

He was one of eleven siblings, and they remained incredibly close throughout his life. He was often looked up to as a father figure among his brothers and sisters. James was a proud graduate of Jesup W. Scott High School and a lifelong "Bulldog." Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. He genuinely enjoyed staying connected to the school and spent time serving with the alumni planning organization.

James worked in maintenance at McDonald's Corporation for over 40 years. He was known for being skilled with his hands and took pride in his ability to fix and build. He often used those skills to help friends, neighbors, and family members with home remodeling and repair. He was a devoted Cleveland Browns fan and enjoyed watching NBA games. He also enjoyed westerns, especially his favorite, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, as well as the television show Perry Mason. He took great pride in his home, his lawn, and his vehicles. He enjoyed a good game of cards with his friends Judy Jackson, Vivian Lewis, and Vicky Forrest. At family gatherings, he was known for sharing his homemade sweet potato pies made from his mother's cherished recipe.

James was practical, hard-working, and straightforward. He was a man of his word and shared advice freely, always grounded in experience. He had a recognizable laugh and smile, and if he said he liked you, he meant it. He was proud of his sons and enjoyed time with his grandchildren. Over the years, James faced health challenges, but he continued to push through them with determination.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Willie L. Daniels Sr. and Aljay Daniels; his brothers, Henry Jackson and Willie Daniels, Jr.; his sister, Portia Williams; and his close friends, William "Billy" Watson and Deacon John R. Algee.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Alicia Daniels; his sons Jason (Kelli) Daniels and Michael (Tia) Daniels; his siblings Josephine Harden, Byron (Clydia) Daniels, Olga Morehead, Melvin (Idell) Daniels, Shelley (Eric) Buchanan, Calvin Daniels, and Denise (Ed) Presley; his grandchildren Mikei, Elise, Mikah, and MiKenna; his godsons Will (BJ) Watson and Aaron Watson; his in-laws and their spouses; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. The family also extends appreciation to his longtime friend Jerome Bell, who made it a point to visit whenever he was in town.

The family extends their appreciation to John Rabets, MD, Jordyn Barrington, CNP, MSN, the Kidney Transplant team at The University of Toledo Medical Center, the 4th floor unit, and the Intensive Care Unit staff and nurses, as well as the caregivers at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, for their care and support. A special thank you to his sister, Olga Morehead, whom he often asked to talk things through during his lengthy hospital stay, and who provided steady support during that time. The family also thanks his brother, Byron Daniels, and sister, Shelley Buchanan, for their consistent support in helping him get to his medical appointments.

Funeral services for James Arthur Daniels will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Walker Funeral Homes and Crematory, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43623. Visitation will take place from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by the funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A Celebration of Life reception will follow from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. All services will take place at the funeral home.

Mr. Daniels will lie in repose during the visitation and service hours. A private cremation will follow.

Cards and condolences may be mailed or delivered to Walker Funeral Homes and Crematory. For those wishing to send flowers, the family kindly requests that arrangements arrive on or after Friday, May 1.

The family sincerely thanks everyone for the many calls, texts, prayers, gifts of love, and social media messages, and appreciates those who are unable to attend the services but have reached out with care and support.