This is Danny’s son Watts…
Today my dad finally heard the trumpet. I try to think of the good times that my dad and I spent together for my 17 years he was with me. Last night I was with my dad; we were watching a basketball game on ESPN. As he usually does, he asked me if I had practiced basketball or lifted weights that day. I told him I lifted some weights. He was pretty excited about that.
I try to rejoice in the fact that my dad is finally home. I’ve spent 3 years knowing that he was going to die. Although he is dead, he is now truly living. After the game was over I turned to the Golf network. I asked my dad who he thought would win the Masters; he got his board and wrote, “Tiger.” We both laughed. I left and told my dad I would see him tomorrow and I loved him. He gave me a thumbs up. I think my dad is 0n the golf course right now in heaven. I’m very thankful for all the wonderful times I got to spend with my dad: playing basketball, lifting weights, and watching football. I can’t describe how much I will miss my dad. I want to thank everyone who has put in so much time, prayer, and love.
-Watts Dantzler
February 21, 2009 at 7:10 am
Watts, I spent many hours on the golf course with your Dad and we shared many things. First, he loved all of you so much. He loved the Lord and depended on Him daily. There are no telling how many people he has reached these last few months with him blog. I know how you feel as your Dad has been ripped out of your life. I also know that God is faithful to meet your needs with His grace daily. I miss your Dad so much, and share in this loss with you today and encourage you to reach out to our Lord daily, as you will then be closer to your Dad. He was always pointing all of us to Him. I love all of you. Your Brother in Christ, JIm
February 21, 2009 at 7:38 am
What a wonderful legacy your father left you, Watts. God bless you and your family. We are truly sorry for your loss.
February 21, 2009 at 7:47 am
Watts, I tried to send this earlier but it did not work. Thanks for sharing and I too will miss your dad so much. I spent many hours on the golf course with him and he loved all of you very much. i can share in your loss as I had my dad suddenly ripped out of my like over 30 years ago. However, the Lord will continue to give you grace each day as you look to him. the pain is real now, but he can meet that need. I love you so much. Jim
February 21, 2009 at 8:23 am
What a testimony of God’s grace that Danny has left us!!!!
He fought the fight and kept the faith….He loved Jesus, his family, his friends, and his community. What memories he has left us. Danny has shown us all how to live and how to die….loving Jesus and others!!!!
May God bless Danny’s family today with comfort and peace is my prayer. I love you. Doug
February 21, 2009 at 8:28 am
Watts – You probably don’t know me. I met Danny through working at Marketing Alliance. He would be there on occasion doing work for Bryan. He also played in our company golf outings. I got to know him even better when I started taking golf lessons from him last March. He told me he was going to “tear my swing apart”. He had a way of bringing out the best in the people around him. He taught me so much in the 3 short months he was able to come out to the range. He never let me get down on myself no matter how bad I might be hitting it that day. I remember the day we had lunch and he showed me the pictures from his awesome trip to Augusta National. I remember how thrilled he was to have had to opportunity to play there. I am like you, I am sure he had an early tee time this morning and is playing on the most beautiful fairways one could imagine.
I know your family is grieving and I cannot imagine the pain you are all going through. Take comfort in knowing how much he loved all of you and how he is not battling any longer. He put up a valiant fight, as we all knew he would. But God needs him now. We need to recall the great things he did for all of us while he was here and how many lives he impacted. He will never be forgotten.
I read his favorite verse this morning. It made me think of the triumphant entry he made last night.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for your family.
Josh
February 21, 2009 at 9:33 am
Dear Jean and family, my heart is heavy but I know that Danny is at
home with his Lord and Master. You all are such a beautiful family and even though I never got to see much of you I love you all so much.
Jean you are such a beautiful person inside and out and have taken such good care of your family. Give each a big hug from me and also Dru and Susan. Each of you are such strong Christians. My Love to all Mary Lillian
February 21, 2009 at 9:42 am
DEAR FAMILY,
WHAT A WONDERFUL PERSON DANNY WAS. I ENJOYED BEING A CATAMOUNT TEAMMATE, A GOLF COMPETITOR AND A FRIEND. HIS QUALITIES OF CHARACTER,PRIDE, LOVE OF LIFE AND BEING A CHRISTIAN ARE TRAITS THAT MAKE DANNY SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON. HE LEARNED ALL THE ASSETS EARLY IN LIFE AND LIVED THEM TILL THE END. DALTON WILL MISS DANNY DANTZLER.
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU,
MIKE
February 21, 2009 at 11:57 am
Jonathan went to David and helped him find strength in God.(1 Sam.23:16) Danny has done that for me and I’ll be forever grateful. I love you Jean, Perry, Delancy, Leland, and Watts. Margaret
February 21, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Jean and children, When we visited Danny a couple of weeks ago, it was so special. One thing I remember most was the big thumbs up he gave us as we left. Thumbs up, everything is O.K.. For him, today everything is O.K.. He says, I am whole again and I am with my Lord. He may be gone from us in his body, but is spirit and his memory and his love continues with each of us. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thanks be to God. Jean and your family, grace and peace. Our love to you, Bryan and Margaret
February 21, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Dear Family, I don’t know you personally. I was reading about the passing of your Dad on The Hive and was interested enough to google the blog. I came here because of hearing the great ministry of your dad. I started reading the blog and saw how small the world truly is. I am a Lee College graduate and was glad at that connection in our lives. I will be praying for your family. I know that the sorrow will be there but I will rejoice with you in the Triuth of eternity. God bless you. I will be reading backwards in the blog to learn more about the humbleness of your father.
February 21, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Watts-
Dad and I found out last night on the way home from skiing in North Carolina. Dad had just been telling me stories earlier that day about ski trips he took with your dad and going on about how nice of a guy he was. One of the first things he said when we heard the news was, “He was a great friend- still is.” I think the first thing he said was “He’s shoutin’ now!”
Your dad was an amazing man and will be missed; but of course you know that. I speak for my whole family when I say that you all are in our prayers. I thank God that I am one of the many people who have had the opportunity to witness your dad’s unwavering faith and incredible attitude. He has truly been an inspiration. Jade
February 21, 2009 at 7:20 pm
To Danny’s immediate family, my deepest and sincerest sympathies and prayers go out to and for you.
For the rest of us in Danny’s extended family, what a wonderful friend, teammate, and leader we were so fortunate to have had the opportunity to know and be touched by.
Danny & I go back to about 1961 or 1962 and playing baseball at The Dalton Recreation Center for the late Otis Beavers and Dalton Bearing. From there, we were football teammates in 1966 and 1967 at Dalton High School & shared the Sports Editor position on the school paper. I ended up playing at Georgia Tech and Danny D landed in Athens. For a lot of people today that would have ended the friendship. As many fans today don’t understand, that only came between us old jocks for 3-4 hours one Saturday a year. Danny D was always the same guy I’ve known for almost 50 years.
Danny, aside from his choice of & love for his chosen university, was intelligent, funny & witty, articulate, and a good and loyal counsel and friend.
I can’t think of anyone over the last 50 years, who wasn’t associated directly with the carpet industry or education in Dalton who will be missed more.
Danny helped a ton of kids, as well as adults, through FCA and other Christian-related endeavors. If ever someone lived his faith, as the naysayers and doubters are quick to question & criticize those who wear it on their sleeves, Danny lived it every day. He was a good ‘un.
As a player at UGA, he wasn’t a star, or even a starter, just a solid citizen playing a kids’ game.
Danny was only 58. He will be missed. He was definitely loved.
Goodbye, Danny D. RIP.
February 21, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Watts, Leland, Perry and Delancey,
You have lived with two tremendous role models–your father and mother. I urge you to copy them and I would like for my family to copy them also. We love your family.
February 21, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Danny was a friend to so many. He was a great friend to Christian Heritage School, and leaves a huge legacy and a giant hole. I won’t forget Danny’s rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. The Danzler family is covered in the prayers of so many. We love you.
February 21, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I first met Danny at Bible Study when I was at Dalton High School in 1976. He was an example that we should all try to follow. He was someone that I will never forget. He leaves a wonderful legacy and he will truly be missed. He is now truly in the presnce of God. Last night when iI heard about his death I was really sad, but I have to remember this is a time of celebration – Danny is in Heaven!
February 21, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Watts,
The courage, love, and faith that are evident in your words in the midst of such pain move my heart and leave me in awe. The presense of Christ in your family has always been a testimony to me, and right now reading your words I see the power and love of Christ that your dad spoke, wrote, and sang about! You and your family will continue to be in my prayers.
February 22, 2009 at 1:19 am
hey watts im proud of ya man! i will continue to pray for you and your family through this time.. keep up the hard work on the football field and it will pay off in the end! god bless you and your family..
David greene
February 22, 2009 at 1:27 am
Watts, you have such an awesome heritage! Though we are in Dubai, we are with ya’ll in spirit and have been praying for ya’ll continuallly. When we heard the news of Danny’s homegoing, I could literally hear his voice answering my question, “how ya doin’, Danny?” “I’m kickin high!” And he really is! I just wish I could be there to hear him singing again. One day that will happen for all of us and what a WONDERFUL day that will be! But till then, please know that we love you all so much and are praying for you. (Would you pass on to Delancey that Lydia should arrive soon.)
February 22, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Watts and Family,
Our church had a moment of celebration for your Father today. Please know we are praying for you and your family right now.
February 22, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Jean and family, Margaret and I have just returned home from the cemetary. We know that Danny had already preached his own funeral, but the service of celebration today was truly a worship service. I know that Danny was watching the whole thing and saying “That is what I have been talking about. Jim did an outstanding job and the minister was right on target. I expected that any time the trumpet would sound. It was not part of the service, but I found myself singing to myself ” Victory in Jesus”. We truly do have victory in Jesus. For the last few months, Danny’s blog has been a hugh part of my life. We will miss Danny and we will miss his blog. We wll see you soon. Love you, Grace and peace, Bryan and Margaret Dantzler
February 22, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Hi Watts,
I don’t think you know me, but Im a student at Christian Heritage. I was there after you left and had elective classes with Leland. Your blog you wrote was very inspiring. I know how much it hurts to lose a daddy. I lost mine when I was fifteen from an illness. So, I can relate to some of the pain you are feeling. Please keep your eyes on the lord. I know there are going to be times when you get angry with God and want to push him away, but in order to make it through, you have to lean on him. You are in my prayers.
February 22, 2009 at 7:16 pm
James 1:2-4
February 22, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Dear Dantzler Family,
Danny was a witness to many young people. I along with many of my friends remember Danny and know the example he set as a christian. We will always strive to be the example he was. 11 Peter says a thousand years on earth is like a day in Heaven which means in a few seconds in Heavens time you will be reunited with him. God Bless you and you all are in our prayers.
February 23, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Jean,
Every reply that Bryan has made has been spoken for both of us, but I need to personally express my gratitude to you for the gracious hospitality three weeks ago on a 45 minute visit to you and Danny in your home. Months of prayers and concern made it impossible to stay away. A visit that could have felt like an intrusion on your privacy turned out to be a joy for us. Instead of raising your spirits, we were the ones who left uplifted. Both you and Danny have always been a joy to be around and that evening was no exception even under the weight of the most dreaded health problem. You have achieved a home too that reflects a beautiful radiance so indictative of you both.
The service for Danny yesterday was a glorious tribute to a life well lived. Everyone with whom you both come in contact is blessed, and we are grateful to be two of them. Please know our hearts ache with you and the children.
From another “sister” who has been fortunate enough to marry one of those Dantzler guys.
My love and sympathy,
Margaret Dantzler
February 23, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Watts, and family
I admire your courage, Watts, for sharing with us what your Dad means to you. Believe me, 40 years from now you will still remember those things your Dad did with you, because he loved you so much and desired to be a major influence in your life. You could have had no better role model than your Dad. He was an athlete’s athlete, and a man’s man, yet in everything he was into “glorifying God”. From your Dad’s heavenly perspective, I know he enjoyed his memorial service yesterday. and I also heard him say often how proud he was of you, DeLancy, Perry, and Leland. Work on living his legacy and you will experience not only great success, but will walk with God. You and your family will remain in our prayers
Matthew 5:16
February 23, 2009 at 9:59 pm
WATTS,
I am honored to have know your dad. I remember when I moved to Dalton your dad picked me to play golf on his team. I can say it was one of the greatest rounds of golf I ever watched. I knew that day this man is very special, I enjoyed every second of that day. When my daughter Caitlin started playing golf Danny would always ask her how she was playing. He never missed a chance to let her know how good she was and how he wanted to play her, it always made her feel good that he knew so much about her golf and he was interested. What a great example of a Christian man. Watts you and your family will be in our prayers.
February 26, 2009 at 2:13 am
oh one more thing tiger won…
March 11, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I know I am going to miss danny so much