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Daniel Spier Obituary
Coach Daniel Young Spier, age 79 of Marietta, GA, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at home. Coach Spier was born in Atlanta, GA, to the late Theodore and Cora Belle Young Spier. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen Louis Spier; and his sister, Jeanne Modelle Spier Mitchell. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Molly May Moseley Spier of Marietta ,GA. Other survivors include his daughter, Christi DeZoort (Todd), Tuscaloosa, AL; nieces, Dena Williams (John Heintschel), Cumming, GA, Lori Haynes, Cumming, GA, and Tanya Spier, New Smyrna Beach, FL; nephew, Dirk Spier, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Coach Spier graduated in 1962 from Murphy High School, Atlanta, GA. He made the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Honorable Mention team as a tackle and was selected for the GACA NORTH_SOUTH game in 1961. He received a full football scholarship to Vanderbilt University where he played for two years before graduating in 1966 with a BA in English. Also, Coach Spier received a Master's of Arts degree in English and teaching in 1976 from Georgia State University. Coach began his coaching and teaching career at Dykes. He coached junior varsity football from 1966-67. He became a line coach under Dewey Alverson at Southwest Dekalb from 1968 to 1979. He then became the head football coach at Newton County High School, Covington, GA from 1979-1984. He finished his coaching career at Westminster (Atlanta) as the defensive line coach from 1985-1995. He taught all levels of English at all of these schools besides coaching. He was named STAR teacher several times. Dan truly was a Renaissance man. He excelled at writing poetry, painting in all mediums (won awards for many of his paintings that hang in homes and galleries all over this country), singing as lead singer in The Chaplains (a rock and roll band at Vanderbilt), making primitive weapons such as bows, arrows, arrowheads, primitive knives, primitive cross bow, primitive lockback knives, scrimmage pocket and hunting knives, just to name a few. Checkout his website www.DanSpier.com to see many of his accomplishments.
The family will receive friends Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta (1130 Whitlock Ave.) from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Funeral service will follow at 1:30 PM. Burial will take place at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park.
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Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Spier
Sponsored by Carmichael Funeral Homes - Marietta.
Jamie Basso
June 18, 2025
We will always enjoy our memories of you, Coach, and hope to carry on your legacy through our lives for generations to come!
Tim Gunter
August 22, 2024
Dan had an impact on so many young men that he coached. I had the honor of coaching with him and learning from him. My life as a coach and teacher was enriched by working with him. I pray your memories of him will sustain you until you meet again.
miriam gardner wheeler
May 26, 2024
bless you molly
Brett Costley
May 17, 2024
My condolences to "Miss Mosely" and the Spier family. I was fortunate to connect briefly with Coach Spier via email recently. He will be missed.
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Barbara Land Moncrief
May 17, 2024
What a remarkable teacher he was!! 2 of my children had him at Newton High & he was Star teacher for my son, Michael Moncrief. He was the teacher who made Michael who he is!! Barbara Land Moncrief
Julie Wade
April 7, 2024
We will miss the annual Christmas cards and send all our love to Mrs Spier, a great influence to us both. Love, Julie and Drew Wade
Kelly Smith
April 7, 2024
Dan was a great coach, a great teacher and an outstanding man. When I played for him at NCCHS from 1980-1983 there was a time when I thought I was better than I actually was. Coach´s comment to me was "Smith, unless you can put your finger in a glass of water, pull it out and leave a hole, I can replace you." I never forgot that. I believe that thinking is a big reason why I became successful in business. It always keeps you humble. Thank you for investing into my life. Enter into your rest my friend.
Andrew Rodbell
April 5, 2024
Hands down, my favorite teacher among many good teachers at Westminster. He was also my golf coach and full of great "do as I say, not as I do" advice.
I want to share one funny memory from an end of year award ceremony. All the other award recipients from the English department were girls. They gave hugs to their teachers as they went to accept their rewards. As I walked up, Coach Spier took that moment to create comedy. He gave me a hug which I was not expecting. It got a big laugh from the auditorium.
Great man. Condolences to his family and friends.
Joel F Finley
April 5, 2024
The Professor, out mentor and teacher, has crossed the river and sits
under the shade of a distant tree painting, barefoot, with his feet in a
summer stream. Beside him is his Milton, while he tries to capture the
light on canvas and not be distracted by his favorite Chuck Berry tune.
Smiling, Dan is on a new journey of exploration. He has already discovered
a new metaphor and its implied sentiment. Delighted, Dan is ready to
share this new treasure with his loved ones and colleagues, as he holds
Western Culture and Southern literature deep within his heart.
We cannot choose our parents or siblings, but we can choose our friends.
Those of us who can claim the Professor as our friend, have chosen
wisely. We are blessed to have known him. We will always treasure
his counsel and playful mischief, as we glance over the river into the
future.
With comfort to Molly and Family,
Joel Finley "Grasshopper"
Southwest DeKalb HS, Class of 1975
Kendra (Murray) Cluck
April 5, 2024
There are some teachers from your past that stand out. I remember this one vividly. He was my AP English teacher in high school at South Cobb and while some called him Coach Spier, he was "Oh Captain My Captain" to me from Dead Poets Society. Lessons from standing up on desks to stand up for injustice and diving into the intricacies of "Hotel California" lyrics by the Eagles will forever be imprinted on my mind. I´m certain he made a lasting impression as well on many others.
Thank you, Oh Captain My Captain, for the passion you had for what you did and for your students. May your memory forever be a blessing.
Cathy Nix Sanders
April 5, 2024
I was so saddened to hear the news of his passing. Molly is such a sweetheart and I have had wonderful conversations with her. Rest in Heaven, Coach. I´m sure the Heavenly choir was excited about you joining them!
Carmichael Funeral Homes
April 5, 2024
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Jennifer Vansant Smith
April 4, 2024
Mr. Spier was my favorite teacher and helped me get into Vandy to become a teacher, as well. I will be forever grateful and can´t wait to receive his handmade earrings I ordered tonight. I will treasure them. Much love to his family
Jamie Basso
April 4, 2024
From running county fair during football two-a-days in the hot and humid August heat to running terraza plaza during wrestling practice, Coach Spier made men out of boys...we love you and will greatly miss you, Coach!
Jan Rogerd
April 4, 2024
I´m so sorry to hear of Dan´s passing. My heart is with you Molly. He was a wonderful man.
Kyle Cooley
April 4, 2024
Truly a great man. Rest in Peace, Coach.
Zack Rabun
April 4, 2024
Our deepest condolences to your family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers!
Deercreek Gunshop Family
Brett Butler
April 3, 2024
As a teacher/coach at Westminster school. Coach had a tremendous impact on my life and has been the subject of so many wonderful stories over the years! My life was made better for having known him.
Margaret Hudson Lawson
April 3, 2024
Remembering a wonderful teacher, Coach and friend.
I am so sad to learn of his passing.
I was lucky enough to look him up this past fall and read his wonderful stories, and see his wonderful paintings.
I wasn´t able to attend his art show, but hoped to in the future.
The world has lost a bright, funny and multi talented man.
I had him for 4 years for home room,
3 years of English and was a cheerleader for his Newton County Rams Varsity football team!
Coach, you we´re one of a kind.
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