A soldier stationed at Fort Hood died on New Year’s Day at his family’s home in Tomball.

Family members found Pfc. Kenneth McDaniel, 23, unresponsive in the garage of their home on Westwold Drive the afternoon of Jan. 1. His cause of death was unknown as of press time, but the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences was in the process of performing an autopsy.

Officials said emergency medical workers pronounced him dead at the scene and that foul play was not suspected.

His mother, Gloria McDaniel said that her son had recently returned from a tour in Iraq and was home celebrating the holidays with family.

McDaniel attended Lakewood Elementary and Tomball Intermediate School, before transferring to Klein Collins High School, according to his mother. He loved to read and worked several jobs, including as a veterinarian technician, before settling on a career in the U.S. Army.

“His brother is a sergeant in the army and part (of the reason he joined) was his brother’s influence, plus the stability of the job,” she said.

He joined the Army in May 2010, becoming an infantry soldier and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in September of that year − the same unit his brother Keith is still serving in.

He was deployed to Iraq in February 2011.

According to information from Fort Hood officials, McDaniel’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star and the Army Service Ribbon.

Services were held Jan. 7 at Northside Christian Church in Spring, followed by burial with full military honors.

McDaniel is survived by his mother Gloria, father Keith, older brother Kevin, younger sister Kathryn Doshier and grandparents Stanley and Doris Pleyer and Melinda McDaniel.

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