Captain George Laton "Dan" Daniel

January 16, 1944 - February 25, 2008

COLUMBIA | Captain George Laton ''Dan'' Daniel, 64, went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, Monday, February 25, 2008.

Born January 16, 1944, in Greenwood, South Carolina, he was the son of Frances Proctor Daniel and the late OC ''Pete'' Daniel. He was a graduate of Ninety Six High School in Ninety Six, S.C.; Gordon Military College in Barnesville, Ga.; the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a master's degree in journalism and advertising; and the U.S. Army Adjunct Generals School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and of the University of Georgia Alumni Association.

He was an Army Vietnam veteran serving as a Captain in the Special Forces and the Green Berets from 1968-69. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star with the Valor device and three clusters, the Purple Heart with three clusters, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.

He served as Director of Communications with the State Development Board for 19 years under Governor Robert McNair, Governor John West, Governor Jim Edwards, and Governor Richard Riley. He was awarded two Orders of the Palmetto by Governor John West and Governor Richard Riley. He was awarded many awards both State and National for his outstanding service to the State of South Carolina and was a member of many organizations. He was listed in ''Outstanding Young Men of America'' and ''Who's Who in Government.''

He was proud and loved being a Georgia Bulldog. Thanks to Vince Dooley, the football team signed a helmet picture and he took it into surgery with him for his first brain tumor. That was 26 years ago. He battled two more brain tumors from exposure to Agent Orange.

He is a member of Main Street United Methodist Church of Greenwood, S.C. and past president of the Bible class.

He is survived by his mother and sister, Jackie Daniel of Greenwood and Columbia; his uncle, L. Giles Daniel; and four first cousins, Lawrence (Ann) Daniel of McCormick, Bill (Teresa) Daniel of Clemson, Pat McAbee of Virginia Beach, Va., and Danny McAbee of Israel.

The family will be receiving friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood, S.C. His service will be held in Main Street United Methodist Church 3 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2008, with burial in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with full military rites. The ministers officiating are the Rev. Jim Dennis, and the Rev. Robert Albert. The honorary pallbearers are the Bible class, Reid Waterson, Joe Chandler, Frank Brown, Reggie King, Sam Robinson, Jim Greenwood, Ray Hinton, Preston Rogers, Charles Reeves, Swain Whitfield, James Henderson, Phillip McKinney, James Wilson, Dr. Edward Proctor, James Blair, Dr. Charlie Gray, Steve Grooms, Governor Richard Rile, and members of the VFW and DAV.

We would like to thank Delphine Tony Al-Muid; his caregiver for six years, Cathy Conway of Gentiva Hospice; and Sam Robinson, his friend and special helper from the Dorn VA Hospital.

He was proud of his heritage, being the direct descendant of Governor Robert Daniel of Daniel Island, buried in St. Phillips Church in Charleston. It was said of George Laton ''Dan'' Daniel that he loved his State of South Carolina and its motto, Dum Spiro Spero, ''While I Breathe I Hope.''

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com and MyrtleBeachOnline.com.

Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 North Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646, Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison BLVD, Columbia, SC 29212 or to the charity of one's choice.

Blyth Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Greenwood, S.C., is assisting the Daniel family.