Noah Daniel Has Led a Life of Exemplary Service
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Former Superintendent of Schools Noah Daniel has led a life of exemplary service in Dickson County.
A 1959 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Daniel married his college sweetheart Alicia and soon started a family.
“Then I enlisted at Fort Campbell and entered as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 101st Airborne,” Daniel says. “I spent two years there, during which time we had our second child.”
Two more children came along during the early years of Daniel’s career, which began with teaching and coaching at Charlotte High School. In 1967, he became principal.
“In 1972, the county consolidated the high schools – White Bluff, Charlotte and Dickson – into Dickson County High School,” Daniel continues. “I became the assistant principal and athletic director from 1972 to 1979.”
Then in 1984, after a five-year stint with the county board of education, Daniel made Dickson County history as the first elected (versus appointed) superintendent of schools, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.
He remained active in the National Guard and then became even more involved with the military group.
“After 31 years, I went to work full time with the Tennessee Army National Guard as a Troop command commander. This was during the first Gulf War,” Daniel explains. “I had 26 units scattered throughout Tennessee, and nine of those were deployed.”
Ultimately, Daniel was promoted to brigadier general and, after 36 1/2 years in the service, he retired – again.
“Then the governor nominated me to be the director of the Selective Service System in Tennessee, a position I held until 2003.
“Then I retired – I really mean it this time!” he adds with a laugh. “Since then, I’ve been playing a lot of golf.”
Story by Carol Cowan
Photo by Brian McCord
