GARY FRANCIS DANNER
RIDGEWAY - Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Gary Francis Danner, 80, of Ridgeway, died on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022.
Born on Aug. 1, 1942, in High Springs, Florida, he was a son of the late Glenn and Veral Polk. After graduating from Chiefland High School in 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and retired honorably as a master sergeant following 20 years of service. His duties were served at multiple air bases domestically and abroad. He was stationed at Lackland, Texas; Eglin, Florida; Crete, Greece; Elmendorf, Alaska; Kelly AFB, Texas; Karamursel, Turkey; and Osan AFB, South Korea. Gary's most enjoyable assignment was in Turkey, and he retired from active duty at Shaw AFB in Sumter.
Following his military career, Gary held several local jobs before accepting a civil service position at Shaw AFB. He retired after 27 years with the 20th Support Group Civil Engineering Squadron as the infrastructure chief. Later in life, he kept busy by helping his neighbors, wiring houses and boat docks, and keeping the Rolling Hill sign neat and trim. Studying history, fishing and hunting gave Gary many enjoyable memories.
Survivors include his wife, Gail; daughters, Christine Kilik (John) of Tacoma, Washington, and Melodie Watson (Daniel) of Simpsonville; son, Johnny David Tyler Jr. of Lugoff; grandchildren, Madeline McClain (Caleb) of Lexington and Jacob Watson (Murielly) of Columbia; great-grandchild, William Daniel McClain; brother, Mosey Polk (Geralene) of Trenton, Florida; as well as his sister, Dorothy Nimmons of Lady Lake, Florida. Gary loved his puppy, KiWi, and his other four-legged grand family, Gameria, Archie, Lilly, Peebles and Chloe.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Troy Danner; and his brothers, Jimmy Danner and Ronald Polk.
The funeral service for Master Sgt. Danner will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223. The Rev. Clyde Chan will officiate and Bobby Mims will give a eulogy. Burial with full military honors will follow at 11 a.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229.
The family will receive friends following the burial beginning at noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2350 White Pine Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Serving as pallbearers will be Frank Delgado, Jimmy Pugh, Ken Mahoney, Kevin Mason, Troy Holland and Chris Richards.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to all the long-term medical care given to Gary by Dr. Rodney Rhinehart, Dr. Gordon Pennebaker, Dr. Prakash Prabhu and Dr. Carla Brady, as well as all their devoted team members and the team of MUSC Health Hospice in Lugoff.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.