The local community is mourning the loss of a leader and youth advocate.
Katherine “Kaci” Coppedge Daniel, 44, passed away last week due to complications of sarcoma. Daniel was a Madison County High School graduate and obtained bachelors and masters degrees from Virginia Tech. A participant of 4-H in her younger years and a 4-H All-Star, Daniel continued her passion as the Orange County 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent and unit coordinator for 24 years. She was a fierce supporter of youth in agriculture, helping thousands of local children learn about not only agriculture, but leadership, life skills and public speaking. She faithfully led numerous programs including Cloverbud Camp for the youngest 4-Hers and was present at an array of livestock shows during the local fairs. She accompanied a group of youth to camp each summer at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational and Conference Center and served on the camp’s board of directors. She also served on the Culpeper Wellness Foundation Board. Despite her illness, Daniel attended camp earlier this summer and was present at the Orange County Fair.
The Virginia Youth Livestock Program said Daniel was the keeper of the organization’s information tent at the State Fair Youth Livestock Shows, the voice of the exhibitor meeting, a member of the advisory council and supervised several contests. She also designed the group’s t-shirts. Additionally, she served as the site coordinator for the Central Virginia Youth Cattle Working Contest, was a team coach, worked the VA Beef Expo and served on the State 4-H Horse Show Steering Committee and as the “agent on duty” at the State 4-H Horse Show. Just last month she assisted with the 4-H and FFA Youth Dairy Field Day.
“She will be missed and her absence will leave a void we can never fill,” Virginia Youth Livestock leaders wrote.
Orange County 4-H leaders also expressed their appreciation for Daniel.
“Kaci led with integrity, courage and unwavering commitment,” they wrote. “Under her leadership, Orange County 4-H achieved significant milestones and grew in both strength and purpose. Kaci’s legacy will endure in the hearts of those she served and in the countless lives she touched. May we all continue to carry a little piece of her fighting spirit with us.”
At this week’s Orange County Board of Supervisors Meeting, District 4 Supervisor Crystal Hale hailed Daniel as someone who had a tremendous impact on the county.
“No words can express the loss and void of losing Kaci,” she said. “I could ramble about all the things she’s done–her commitment to the county, youth, agriculture, her commitment to being an excellent servant, the list goes on and on. I want to take a moment to say how much I appreciated her as a person, as an employee, as an advocate. The manner in which she fought and carried out her plan to see it through was incredible and inspiring.”
District 1 Supervisor Mark Johnson agreed.
“At the Orange County Fair she was out there,” he said. “It was miserable weather and extremely hot. She persevered. She did what she wanted to be doing.”
In addition to her work life, Daniel enjoyed time with her husband, Scott, and their numerous nieces, nephews and family members. She spent time on the family farms and traveled.
To honor Daniel’s legacy, the Katherine “Kaci” Daniel 4-H Building to Endowment Fund has been created. The fund will support the 4-H program in Madison and Orange counties. Once the initial $25,000 fundraising goal has been met, the fund will be endowed and will provide support in Daniel’s name forever.
When she learned of the fund, Daniel was quoted as saying she was honored and humbled by the efforts to create an endowment in her honor. “4-H has my heart,” she said. “It made me who I am and I want that to continue in perpetuity so that all kids have the opportunities that I did.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can do so by mailing a check to the Virginia Tech Advancement Division, Office of Gift Accounting, University Gateway Center (0336), 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Checks should be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation with the Katherine “Kaci” Daniel 4-H BTE Fund (879177) in the memo line. Donations may also be made online at https://giving.adv.vt.edu/gift?fund=821076&desc=Katherine%20%22Kaci%22%20Daniel%204-H%20BTE%20Fund.
Daniel is survived by Scott, her parents Nan and Dennis Coppedge, her sister Laura DeBoer and other numerous family members, friends and colleagues. A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Wetsel Middle School Gymnasium.
