Dannie Nelson Wilson, Jr.

Dannie Nelson Wilson Jr. (Dano), 55, of Stephens City, Virginia. A devoted son, husband, father, father-in-law, pap, brother, uncle. Captain of Round Hill Fire and Rescue Dept, Loudoun County, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on August 31, 2025, at Winchester Medical Center, of metastatic Esophageal cancer 

Born August 31,1970, at N. Braddock Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Dannie Nelson and Katherine Ann Wilson (Golofsky).  Dannie was the oldest of 3, he had two sisters, Lisa (Joe, Corissa, Ava, Giovanni), Tammy. Dannie was a very protective brother; he was always there when his sisters needed him. However, he probably owed them so much money for the endless amount of times he would ask, hey, Lee, please scratch my back and I’ll give you $5 and when she caught on and stopped he moved on to Tammy, hey, Tam come scratch my back and I’ll give you a couple dollars, help clean my room, help with my homework (Tammy’s job). He truly, was the very best brother. He taught us to be kind but stand our ground and don’t ever take any crap from anyone, and the best one, the bigger they are the harder they fall. He was the typical little boy growing up in N. Braddock, PA. he loved to watch the fire trucks pull out of the fire station on Bell Ave., and turn the sirens on, ride his bike up the steep hills, he enjoyed doing karate with the neighborhood kids, cousins, uncle, riding bikes, swimming, baseball, football. Dannie grew up in a community where everyone knew you (and your parents) and watched over you. The neighbors all seemed to love Dannie, he was quick to pitch in and help them, if they were pulling weeds, sweeping the walkway, he would offer his help. Now don’t get me wrong, he definitely had his little boy mischievous side and may have said many times while growing up “please don’t tell mom and dad”. In the fall and winters Sundays were family day, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. You see, growing up in and around Pittsburgh, you really have no choice but to be a Steelers fan. I honestly believe it’s in our blood! We spent many days with family that lived in the neighborhood, growing up as great friends. Dannie was truly amazing, from his mom’s little boy, dads, dan the man, his sister's protector, friends, that seemed to be more like extended family. You see, Dannie was not quick to open up to people but once he did you knew you made a lifelong friend! 

Dannie’s parents moved to Sterling, Virginia in the summer of 1985. He went on to graduate from Park View High School in the Spring of 1988. Sterling, VA. This is where Dannie met some lifelong friends, or should I say Brothers!   

Following graduation in 1988 Dano joined Loudoun County Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Sterling, Virginia, firefighter. In May of 2000 Dano accepted a position as a career firefighter with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue where he worked at a few different stations. Dano spent his remaining years as Captain at the Round Hill Fire and Rescue station. Dano was very good at leaving his work at work and did not speak about it once he was home. Therefore, I am going to take this time to copy and paste something that was posted on face book. “Captain Wilson was more than just an officer-he was a mentor, a steady hand, and a true friend to those who had the privilege of serving alongside him. His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the fire service has shaped countless firefighters and left an indelible mark on the Round Hill community. From the fireground to the kitchen table, his presence commanded respect while offering encouragement. He carried with him a wealth of experience, a passion for the job, and a devotion to his crew that defined what it meant to be a part of the fire service family. Captain Wilson’s legacy lives on in every firefighter he trained, every call he answered, and every life he touched. His memory will forever be a part of Round Hill Station 4 and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue.” LCCFRS 

On November 1, 2003, Dan married Tara Ann Campbell. Dan proudly took on the role of husband and stepfather to Mathew. They spent the first couple of years watching Matt BMX race, play basketball, and any other fun things Matt would want to try. This is when the rest of his life started, the best chapters, writing about the wonderful life and family that Dan and his beautiful wife Tara built. They started growing their family in Ranson, WV, where they had their first home built and later grew their family of 3 to a beautiful family of 5. On May 23. 2004, they welcomed their first bundle of joy, Dannie III and on May 10, 2007, Morgan blessed them with their very own little girl. They stayed there a few years until later moving to Stephens City, Virginia in 2008. Throughout the years they have made many memories. Their oldest son, Mathew, married the love of his life, Sarah. They blessed the family with two beautiful little girls, Lillian and Ryann. Those girls would bring a smile to their pap’s face and pretty sure they had that teddy bear wrapped around their little fingers. Dan has always been a bit of a sucker for the little ones. Tara would babysit through the years, and I believe Dan enjoyed playing with those children as much as Tara did. Dan was a very supportive father that enjoyed supporting his children in the extra activities and interest, Matt with these things mentioned above, Dannie III and his trap shooting, collecting matchbox cars, riding motorcycles and so many other things. Morgan was the apple of her dad's eye, his mini, he would be so happy to talk about her ballroom dancing and how well she did and how beautiful she was. Dan was such a wonderful father! Dan was a very fair man, what’s good for one is definitely good for the other. If you have had the pleasure of spending time with Dan, Tara, and their family you would have seen nothing but love, humor, lots of laughing, and more love. They have truly built a good old fashioned American family!  

Dannie also enjoyed his peaceful walks around Jim Barnett Park, while watching the geese, ducks, birds, deer, whatever wildlife was out with him on that day, he loved being outside, spending time with his family and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes, we all braced ourselves, but looked forward to the Facebook post when NFL season was underway. I hope this gives you a bit of a visual the man that Dano was!    Dan was an extremely proud father and pap, supportive husband, and a tremendous brother, friend, role model, mentor. He is going to be deeply missed!  Family, Friends, Colleagues are invited to pay their respects to Dano on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 11:00 am at Cornerstone Chapel, 650 Battlefield Parkway SE, Leesburg, VA 20175  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Loudoun First Responders Foundation. P.O. Box 1623   Leesburg, VA  20177 http://www.lfrf.org