Maurice Dantin

Maurice Dantin

Columbia

Maurice Dantin, age 82, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at his home in Columbia. Maurice was a graduate of the University of Mississippi and the University Of Mississippi School Of Law. A proud Marine and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, he was known extensively for his high integrity, outstanding leadership, and charitable pursuits.

Maurice was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Columbia, where he taught Sunday school for 57 years. He served on numerous committees, and was a major leader for several mission trips, both domestically and internationally.

A prominent attorney, Maurice was an active member in local, state, and national professional associations and civic activities. His accomplishments included: member of National Board of Governors of American Red Cross; National Coordiantor of American Red Cross Disaster Volunteers; past Chairman, Mississippi territory, American Red Cross; past District Governor of Lions International; first President and one of the founders of Pearl River Valley Development Association; past President of Marion County Chamber of Commerce; past President Mississippi Rivers and Harbors Association; first President and one of the founders of Marion County Historical Society; former Chairman of Marion County Economic Developement District, and Chairman of the Marion County Railroad Authority.

Maurice remained active in the legal profession, serving as past President of the Marion County Bar Association, partner of the law firm Dantin & Dantin, and author of Criminal Law section of Mississippi Circuit Practice, published by the Mississippi Law Institute. He was selected as a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation. Maurice also served as Past President and Lifetime Honorary Member of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association.

His political career began when he was elected Mayor of Columbia at age 26. He also served as City Attorney and District Attorney of the Fifty Judicial District, and was Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in 1978.

Maurice was a Director for Citizens Bank of Columbia for many years. He also served as Vice President of the Tylertown Broadcasting Company and General Counsel of Crosby Land & Resources.

Maurice served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and retired as Colonel. He was granted Life Membership to the Marine Corps Reserve Association, Marine Corps Aviation, Marine Corps League, and Military Officers Association of America. Maurice was also a member of Marine Corps Historical Association and contributor to the Marine Corps C&S Foundation. He served in the United States Marine Corps actively for 2 years and in the reserves for 30 years.

Throughout his lifetime, Maurice received countless awards and honors for his work, including: Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm; President of University of Mississippi Student Body, 1951; Ole Miss Hall of Fame; President of the University Mississippi Law School Student Body, 1954; Taylor Medal for Political Science; Business Manager, Mississippi Law Journal; member of the Moot Court Board; member of ODK Honorary Leadership Society; Torch Bearer, 1996 U.S. Olympic Relay; Edwin Dalstorm Distinguished Service Award, Columbia Lions Club; Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Services, Lions Club International Foundation; Outstanding Young Man of Marionn County, 1957 and 1963; and Outstanding Citizen of Marion County, 1975.

Maurice is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Nell Dantin and son, Forest M. Dantin. He leaves his wife of 62 years, Patty, daughters Mary Nell Livingston and Juliet Dantin, son John Dantin, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Wed, January 11, 5 to 9 pm at Hathorn Funeral Home; service will be held Thursday, January 12, at First United Methodist Church, Columbia with visitation from 10:00 until service time 11:00 a.m. Hathorn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross Hattiesburg, 606 N. Hutchinson Ave., Hattiesburg, MS 39401; MS Arthritis Foundation, 731 Auvignon Dr., Ste. 2, Ridgeland, MS 39157; or to First United Methodist Church, 411 Church Street, Columbia, MS 39429.