(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Waldo’s Sports Center Store Manager Ricky McDaniel.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Columbia March 2, 1959.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to West Marion and graduated from Columbia Academy in 1977. I went to Pearl River Community College then to East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: I’ve lived here in Marion County and now live in Lamar County in Purvis. I’m trying to get back over here; my wife and I are both from Marion County. I lived in Tennessee for two years.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I’m the store manager at Waldo’s Sports Center. Mostly my expertise is in firearms, ammunition, supplies and things like that. Donald, the owner, takes care of the bows.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I retired as a game warden after 32 years of state service. I thought retirement would be great and that lasted only about six months. I needed to find something to do. I came in here one day and Donald asked me if I could help him out part time. I told him I’d love to because I got kind of bored. When you get to looking forward to weed eating and mowing every week, then you know there’s something wrong. It eventually turned into a full-time job, and I enjoy doing it.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I enjoy working with the public and meeting new faces. That is the best thing about it. You get to meet so many people. When I worked with the game and fish, they had a pistol team and I shot for 19 years. There were six of us from the whole state, and we were a world-class team. I’ve fooled with guns since I was big enough to walk, so I like that aspect of working here.
Q: What was your first job?
A: My dad, Kenneth, was a contractor before he got killed in 1975 in a plane crash. I helped him, as good sons do, working on houses. My first real job was at Sunshine Egg Farm.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My mom, Grace, was one of the biggest influences I had and of course my dad. But Mr. Richard Price has been an inspiration to me. He kind of adopted me when my dad got killed. He was my football coach at Columbia Academy. He’s like a dad to me. He is a big, big, big influence in my life. I can’t leave my wife out either.
Q: What is your spouse’s name? What does she do for a living?
A: Martha. She is a registered nurse at the hospital and has been for 38 years.
Q: If you could relive one day from your life, which day would you choose?
A: The happiest day of my life was when I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I’m serious about that.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have two, Ryan Spikes and Allison Albritton.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Mrs. Leigh Price’s broad white perch, my mother-in-law’s biscuits and anything my wife cooks — she cooks so much so good.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’d like to go to Germany. I just want to see the country. My grandfather on my mother’s side was from Germany. He was a Hatfield and, of course, everyone knows about the Hatfields and McCoys. He was kin to them.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to work on guns, love hunting and playing with my grandchildren. Playing with my grandchildren is No. 1. I have six grandchildren, four girls and two boys.
Q: What do you enjoy about working in Columbia and Marion County?
A: I like meeting new faces, dealing with people here and I like living here because it’s where I grew up. I grew up at 10 Mile Creek.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: John Wayne. He’s an all-American and most everybody’s hero. He stood for what America used to stand for. He’s always been my hero. I’d just love to sit down and talk to him for a little while.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie?
A: Probably watch a good movie. I like to read, too. I’ve read a lot.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: I was just talking about that this morning. I’ve always wanted to go elk hunting. I would love to go with a real muzzle loader. I would enjoy that. It’s beautiful country out there in the Rocky Mountains.
Q: If you could describe your morals in three words, what would they be?
A: Faith, family and friends.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I’d like to be remembered as a guy who would try to do anything for anybody, as a hard worker and hope I’ve led a few people to Christ. I think I have.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Waldo’s Sports Center Store Manager Ricky McDaniel started his job because he became too bored with retirement from being a game warden. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
