Cary, NC – Jack Lawrence McDaniel, age 78, of Cary, NC, formerly of
Fayetteville, NC, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after a
long, hard-fought battle with laryngeal cancer. Jack was preceded in death by
his parents, E. L. “Mac” and Minaree McDaniel, his wife of 27 years, Mary
Joette Markham, and his niece, Kathryn Marie Hix.
Jack is survived by his brother, Elvin Steve McDaniel, his sisters, Debbie
McDaniel Perry and husband Brian; Diane McDaniel Hix and husband Ken;
and his best friend of 53 years, Jerry Wilder and wife Wanda. Jack is also
survived by nieces, a great-nephew, many cousins and friends, and his furry
feline companion, Piper.
Jack, after graduating from Fayetteville High School in 1967, was drafted into
the United States Army in July, 1968. Jack served a tour of duty in Vietnam
and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in April, 1971. Jack was a
natural born entrepreneur. Jack started several companies during his working
career. Jack would start a business and once that business was up and
running, Jack would sell that company only to venture into another business
endeavor. One company of note, started by Jack, was AeroClean, Inc., based
at the Raleigh-Durham Airport. This company specialized in the interior and
exterior cleaning of single and multi-engine general aviation aircraft, to also
include executive turboprop and jet powered aircraft. Jack expanded this
enterprise to include contracting with airlines to clean the interior of airliners
that would remain overnight (RON) at RDU and prep those aircraft for what
would be an early morning departure from RDU.
Jack’s next venture, following the sale AeroClean, was JMAC Video
Productions. Jack created this company after watching a fellow high school
classmate videotaping his wedding to Joette Markham of Pittsboro, NC.
JMAC Video Productions covered weddings, school graduations and athletic
events and would later develop a niche into the legal community, videotaping
individuals for potential court depositions. The legal aspect of this business
would later become the majority of his video production business.
When Joette passed away in February, 2020, due to non-hodgkin lymphoma,
Jack lost his soulmate in life. After Joette’s passing, life was never the same
for Jack; however, Jack always maintained a sense of upbeat humor and
remained strong in spirit until his final day on earth.
Jack and Joette will again be joined with the inurnment of their cremains that
will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Ocean Drive
Presbyterian Church, 410 6 th Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.
There will be a short outside service conducted by Senior Pastor Daryl Bush in
the Memorial Garden. Jack’s and Joette’s cremains will be honorably placed
in the church’s columbarium.
Contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to UNC Hospitals – UNC Health
Foundation:
Online: Use the UNC Health Foundation’s donation site to make a secure
donation.
Mail: UNC Health Foundation at 123 W. Franklin Street, Suite 510, Chapel
Hill, NC 27516.