Danny Philpot

1953 - 2024

PHILPOT, Danny

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." (Psalms 57:7 KJV)

Danny Philpot was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 6, 1953. He passed to his heavenly home at age 71, on October 31, 2024, surrounded by the family he loved so much. Surviving family includes his loving wife, Barbara Davis Philpot, Alpharetta, Georgia; three children, Micah Daniel Philpot of Lexington, KY, Mary Philpot Wortz (Gary) of Lexington, KY, Parker Judson Philpot (Allie) of Marietta, GA; and four grandchildren, Peyton Renee Wortz, Brayden Thomas Wortz, Sadie Meschell Philpot and Mable Grace Philpot; and one brother, Timothy Philpot (Susan) of Loxley, AL. Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Ford R. Philpot and Virginia Robinson Philpot. Danny's wife, Barbara, was the romance and love of his life for thirty-seven years. It was impossible to think of Danny without Barbara. His happiest days on earth were the days when his children were born. His pride and joy, Micah in 1974, and then the little girl he wanted so much, Mary in 1976, and finally his baby boy, Parker in 1990. And then grandchildren, Peyton, Brady, Sadie, and Mabel. He loved them all to the end. He had the best of both worlds as an Alabama football fan, a Kentucky basketball fan, and an Atlanta Braves fan. Hunting, fishing, and golf were lifelong passions. Danny graduated from Tates Creek High School in 1971, where he was president of his Senior class and a football and baseball star. He then attended Asbury College (B.A. 1975) and Asbury Theological Seminary (M. Div.1978), and later received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary. Danny's life was largely influenced by a profound experience of salvation through Jesus Christ as a high school junior at age 17 and almost immediately began a career in ministry. His nickname on the football team was "Rev", and his passion for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ never really stopped. He pastored Methodist churches in Kentucky while still in college and seminary, and then, upon graduation at age 25, he was selected to be the founding pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The church opened in the Fayette Mall Cinema in July 1978, and quickly became a church home for over five hundred people. Danny also preached as an evangelist around the United States and Zaire, Africa, with his father, Ford Philpot in the 1980s. In 1986, Danny moved to the Atlanta area, where he continued in his pastoral role at Mt. Pisgah UMC, Oglethorpe UMC, and Christ UMC in Roswell, Georgia. Danny retired as a United Methodist pastor after twenty-five years and went into the business world with Olan Mills, but his ministry continued and even flourished as the Chaplain of the American Legion Post #201. His friends at the Legion became his best and final congregation. In 2009, Danny survived a massive heart attack, which led him to start a blog called Fixed Hearts (fixedhearts.blogspot.com). He loved to tell the story of his 'near death experience' to anyone who would listen about his personal encounter with Jesus on the other side. Jesus sent him back to Georgia, knowing that there was more work to be done on earth. Just like King Hezekiah, Danny heard a similar voice: "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life" (Isaiah 38:5). His last fifteen years were a fruitful testimony to the grace of God and the reality of Heaven for Danny. In lieu of flowers, condolence gifts may be sent to a charity founded by Danny's father in 1959; "Fishhook International" actively supports Missions and Evangelism in India: Fishhook International (www.fishhook.org), P.O. Box 910691, Lexington, Kentucky 40591-00691. On Friday, November 8, 2024, at 2 PM, a Service of Celebration will be conducted at Alpharetta Methodist Church, 69 N. Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009, with Rev. Warren Lathem and Rev. Brad Greene presiding.