Robert G. Daniell Jr. passed from this world on September 29th, 2026. He was born to Robert G. and Mary Edna Trapnell Daniell on September 23, 1930, in Metter, Georgia and was known to family and friends as Graham. As a young man he enjoyed horseback riding and football. He attended school in Metter and graduated in 1947. He attended the University of Georgia where he majored in Agronomy and participated in the Army’s R.O.T.C program. When the Korean War broke out, he applied for his officer’s commission and was inducted in the Army. While in Korea his duties included commanding a tank/armor company and flying with the Mosquito Tactical units in LT-6’s.

After the war, he returned to Metter, and in 1958 he married Peggy Burke of Statesboro, Geogia. They had two sons, Robert and Roger. Graham worked as Associate Editor of the Metter Advertiser and helped farm his father’s land.

In September 1968, Graham moved his family to Savannah and re-entered the Army. He was assigned to a National Guard Armory and Hunter Army Airfield. 9 months later, Graham received orders for duty in Taipei, Taiwan with the Army’s Military Assistance Advisory Group M.A.A.G. and served as Chief Protocol Officer on the commanding general’s staff.

While in this position, M.A.A.G., welcomed many dignitaries to the island nation including General Jimmy Doolittle, General William Westmoreland, and Vice President Spiro T. Agnew to mention a few.

After his assignment in Taiwan, he volunteered to serve in Viet Nam. His unit was given the task of training and advising a special infantry unit of the Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN). He and his unit served with the ARVN forces, and all were infantry soldiers. North Vietnamese N.V.A. forces were the enemy. During this time, his wife, Peggy, was still living on Taiwan and was a writer/reporter with the China Post newspaper and was also associated with the Stars and Stripes news bureau in Taipei. As a reporter, she came up with the idea of writing a feature story on the war, and her husband’s infantry unit in Viet Nam. With the Army’s permission and assistance, she made her way to Saigon and was secreted to Graham’s “fire base” by helicopter. Graham’s unit had planned a recon mission, and Peggy would get her story…she was to fly in the commander’s helicopter while Graham and his unit carried out the mission on the ground. All went well, with everyone returning safely to the base camp. Graham was always extremely proud of Peggy’s bravery and commitment to doing this story for the “Stars and Stripes.”

When his duties were over in Viet Nam, he returned to Taipei.

Shortly after, Graham’s active-duty status with the Army was completed and they moved back to the states. They relocated to Sacramento, California, where he went to work with the California Manufacturer’s Association as a lobbyist in state government. Years later, his love of farming and agriculture led to his being hired by the Riverside California Farm Bureau as its Executive Director. Riverside County has the distinction of being the largest county (area) of all counties, served by the Farm Bureaus in the United States.

Additionally, during this time, he purchased a printing shop in Riverside. His many years with the Metter Advertiser had piqued his interest in acquiring the business.

Many years later in 1994, he received his military discharge papers and retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel.

Upon his retirement in 1994, he returned to Metter. Graham’s last 32 years were filled giving back to a country, state, and community that he deeply loved and appreciated.

He served as a member, and Chairman, of the Candler County Republican Party for many years and was an active member and one-time President of the Metter Kiwanis Club. His love of history and appreciation of genealogy led him to join the Candler County Historical Society. He was a member, President, and Historian of the Year during his time with the C.C.H.S. He loved Metter, its people, and the rich history associated with Candler County. Acquiring artifacts, monies, and resources for the Society was important to him. He and his fellow members worked tirelessly, to facilitate the restoration and remodeling of the Historical Society’s building.

Graham supported and participated in many other civic organizations. He was a member, and past Commander of the local V.F.W Post, a member of the American Legion, and the Ogeechee River Canal Society. He loved animals and was a huge supporter of animal shelters locally, and nationally.

Graham eventually retired to the Georgia War Veteran’s Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia where he passed away on September 29th, 2026, at age 96. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law Lydia and Michael Kohout, two nephews Chis Kohout (Jennifer and children), Kelly Kohout (Christy and children), brother-in-law Pat Kohout (Susie and family), a son and daughter-in-law Robert and Ruthie Daniell, and numerous extended family members. His son Roger Daniell (Jeannine) passed away in 2016.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Any remembrances may be directed to any and all Veteran’s organizations, the Candler County Historical Society, and the Candler County Animal Shelter.

Wood Funeral Home is in charge of his final arrangements.