Danny Wayne Fife

FIFE, Danny Wayne “Dan”; Born October 5, 1949 to Victor and Julia Fife in Harrisburg, Illinois; of Clarkston, Michigan; passed away on May 30, 2024 at the age of 74 due to complications of Alzheimer’s. Husband of Jan ( Peters); father of Dugan (Katie) Fife, Jeremy (Jennifer) Fife and Dane (Blair) Fife; Grandpa of Ellie, Gwen, Addie, JC, Quinnly, Will, Avyn, Reagan, Jake and Drew; Brother of the late Victoria Fife-Greene and Judith (late Lance) Murray; Son in law of the late Lester and Dora “Nita”  Peters; Preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, sister and nephews Matthew Greene and Frank DeCarolis; Survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Dan graduated from Clarkston High School in 1967 as a three sport standout in basketball, baseball and football. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, where he played both basketball and baseball. He was drafted in the 1971 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and by the Detroit Tigers as a pitcher in the MLB draft. He signed with the Detroit Tigers and was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where an arm injury forced his retirement in 1975. Dan returned to University of Michigan as an Assistant Basketball Coach and was a member of the 1976 NCAA Runner Up Wolverines. In 1981, Dan returned home to Clarkston, and with a few high school classmates bought Spring Lake Country Club (now Fountains) which he operated for close to two decades. He also returned to coaching and after a stop as Freshman Coach at Sashabaw Jr. High, returned to his high school alma mater, where he was the beloved Varsity Basketball Coach/Athletic Director for 36 years at Clarkston High School, retiring in 2018. He led the Varsity Basketball team to numerous district and regional championships over the years, including back-to-back state championships in his final two seasons.  He mentored many students and touched many lives in the community and around the state. He will be remembered as one of the best high school basketball coaches in the state, inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. Dan was a loving and dedicated father, the best Grandpa Coach or Papa any Grandchild could ask for, and a loyal loving husband to his high school sweetheart Jan. He enjoyed anything to do with basketball, playing cards and watching kids compete, especially his sons and grandkids. Dan will be remembered for his kind heart, his transformational leadership, and his tireless work ethic for all things Clarkston.

Family and close friends may visit Clarkston United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 29th at 9:00am with Funeral Service at 10:00am  Private family procession to Ottawa Park Cemetery, Clarkston for entombment.

A celebration Memorial Service for all will be held Saturday, June 29th at 2pm at the Clarkston High School “Dan Fife” Fieldhouse at 6093 Flemings Lake Road, Clarkston, MI 48346 where many memories and stories will be shared. 

Arrangements entrusted to Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, Clarkston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clarkston Basketball Foundation 2531 Jackson Road, Suite 110 Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

Please leave a memory or condolence on Dan’s online guestbook below.