Community mourns loss of long-time tax commissioner

D.T. DANNER

D.T. Danner, 85, who served as the tax commissioner for Lincoln County for over 30 years, passed away Wednesday, September 12, at Trinity Hospital in Augusta, following a lengthy illness.

When Mr. Danner retired in 1989, he was described as "an institution in Lincoln County government," by Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Norman, who had been commission chair for eight years at the time, was only two years old when Mr. Danner took office in 1957.

The Lincoln County native began his career in the public sector when he was hired to serve as an assistant to George Leverett, Sr., the current tax commissioner. The two worked together until Mr. Leverett's death 11 months later.

A special election was then called to fill Mr. Leverett's unexpired term. There were 12 candidates in the running - nine men and three women. Mr. Danner won without a runoff and continued to win - eight elections to be exact.

A acrostic that was read at Mr. Danner's retirement dinner reflected the esteem in which he was held by his co-workers. It appears below:

"'D' - Dedicated for over 30 years of service.

'T' - Tested and proven to be a friend to all.

'D' - Devilish for his jokes and tricks.

'A' - Always has something nice to say about everyone.

'N' - Never refuses to assist anyone.

'N' - Newly retired and waiting to collect that 'rocking chair' money.

'E' - Exceptional service to his community.

'R' - Respected highly by his family and friends."

Looking back at her husband's 30- plus years as tax commissioner, Lenora Danner said, "People would come into his office as mad as hornets and would leave laughing. D.T. always cheered them up. He loved people. They begged him not to retire. He had a right good time at the tax office."

She went on to say, "For several years, D.T. was the only one in the office. He would bring books home and work on Saturdays and Sundays to catch up. Back when the state had to have three original tax digests, we would spend long hours at the dining room table copying the digest."

This dedicated public servant was born and reared "up home" at the foot of Graves Mountain. After graduating from Lincolnton High School, Mr. Danner held a number of jobs - he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a member of the United States Marine Corps; he worked for Mr. L.E. Reese, driving a gas truck and an ambulance, running the cotton gin, and clerking at Rees' grocery and hardware stores; and he was employed as an electrical buyer by Hart Electric and then Dupont.

Prior to starting his job at Hart, Mr. Danner married the former Lenora Ware on April 6, 1947.

"We rode the same school bus," said Mrs. Danner. "I was in grammar school, and he was five-and-ahalf years older and in high school. He didn't know I was there. We started dating after he came home from the service."

In the ensuing years, the couple had two children, David and Laura Ann.

All was well until January 1, 1954. While working for Dupont, the 34- year-old electrical buyer suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. As he recovered from paralysis in his left arm and leg, he had to learn to walk, talk, and write all over again. After three months, he was back at work at Dupont.

A convulsion in November of 1954 terminated Mr. Danner's employment with Dupont. He returned home and worked at the Farmer's Hardware Store until Mr. Leverett made history and offered him a job in the tax commissioner's office.

In addition to his job as tax commissioner, Mr. Danner was a member of the Lincolnton Masonic Lodge 354, the Lincolnton Lions Club, American Legion Post 194, the County Officers Association, and Hephzibah Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.

Friends and family remember Mr. Danner as a amiable, out-going man, who loved to tell jokes and would go out of his way to help others. Every Sunday without fail, he went to the hospital to visit the sick.

He also loved pimento cheese sandwiches, vanilla ice cream, Coca-Colas, Red Devil football, hunting, his pocket knife, and his hat. However, he did not like fried chicken - he once said this was the only thing that disqualified him from being a Baptist preacher.

Mr. Danner was the world to his wife, a best friend to his children, and a wonderful "Dandy" and shining example of Christian integrity to his grandchildren. His kindness, humor, and carefree attitude toward life earned him countless friends throughout the years.

Mrs. Danner summed it up best when she said, "I just think he was wonderful."

Regular obituary information appears on page 2.