Walter T. Daniels

Walter Thomas Daniels, Jr. was born on January 25, 1944, to Dr. Walter Thomas, Sr and Dr. Virginia Romana Daniels in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Walter was raised in Washington D.C. where he completed his public education at McKinley Technical High School in Southeast D.C. Iin September 1962, Walter entered Howard University majoring in Electrical Engineering. He transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a degree in Political Science, his true intellectual love. However, his college studies were interrupted by the Vietnam conflict. 
 
Walter was drafted in 1966 and subsequently enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was a Cryptographic Communications Specialist. Walter served tours of duty in Florida Keys, South Vietnam and Taiwan. Walter was awarded Air Force Commendation Medal for his outstanding service in Vietnam. After his discharge from the military, Walter returned to the University of Pittsburgh, completing his undergraduate studies. He received his B.A in Political Science and Certificate of East Asian Studies in April 1971. In fact, Walter was the first African American to receive this certification at the university. 
 

Walter married Gloria Jean Martin of Pittsburgh, PA on April 10, 1971. To this union their daughter Niambi was born. In September of 1973, Walter accepted a management position with Johnson and Johnson, inc.in Chicago, Illinois. In 1976, J&J transferred Walter to New Jersey where he and the family began their residence in East Windsor, NJ. 
 

Walter Thomas Daniels, Jr. believed i bettering the community in which you live by participating in several organizations. He was Vice Chair of the East Windsor Juvenile Conference Committee, Board Member of Union Industrial Home, member of East Windsor Zoning Board and Commission on Aging, Director of HEROS Mentoring Program along with participating on the Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council, Better Beginnings Child Care Development Center, UNICEF NJ Ethiopian Famine Relief Committee and was recipient of the Mayor's Better Beginnings Shining Star Award. 
Walter took his civic duties seriously and was very active in the political affairs of his community, participating in various voter registration drives, and served 4 terms on the East Windsor Township Council. He also served as Deputy Mayor in Democratic Committee, was a member AS League Black Elected Officials, Acting Chairperson of the East Windsor 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Further entrenched in the community, Walter served as President of the East Windsor Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, and Council Liaison to the Commission on Aging. 
 

Faith was an important part of Walter's life, and he was a member of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church and served on the Board of Sessions and an Elder of the church. 

Walter was initiated into the University of Pittsburgh Chapter, the Beta Epsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi, on May 13, 1966. He concentrated his energies into the Guide Right Program of the Trenton Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. This program embraces high school age males with the intent to develop their leadership skills. He also became a "Big Brother" with the Big Brother Big Sisters Program of Mercer County serving as a mentor for a young male entering the 8th grade. And while he was doing all these activities, he also was a certified High School Track and Field Official for ten years.  

Of all these things, Walter was affectionately known as Poppa DI Poppa D loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins and New York Yankees. He would make his family listen to every news program you can imagine every weekend (before and after sports games). He is famous for his barbecue turkey breast and pina coladas. Poppa D loved to hang out and enjoy time with friends and family and tell his stories about growing up on D.C and hanging out in Pittsburgh. He always reminded you of your civic duty and encouraged the youth to reach for the stars! 

Walter is predeceased by his wife of 30 years Gloria Jean. Sister FanNell [Daniels) Gonzalez and nephew Richard Ahmad Washington. 

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Niambi and Walter Harris, daughter Jada Travers and sister-in-law Cynthia Washington; his nephews Vincente Gonzalez and Alonso Gonzalez, his grandchildren Khloe, Warren and Kennedy Harris, best friend and Brother Dr. Joseph McCormick, his fraternity brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, his close family friends and caretakers.   

Funeral service will be 11:30am Monday, September 15, 2025 at Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, 124 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ 08542.  Calling hour will be 10am until the time of service.  Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. service will be held at 11am. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Highstown, NJ. The family asking in lieu of Flowers to make a donation to the Gloria Daniels Scholarship Endowment donation at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/56418/donations/new

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