Daniel Byron Whorton

Daniel Byron Whorton (August 31, 1934 – May 28, 2025)
On May 28, 2025, at approximately 9:18 a.m. at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Daniel Byron Whorton closed his eyes in death and immediately experienced the warm breath of the love of God, opening his eyes to the face of his Creator gleaming eyes and a proud smile. Daniel Byron Whorton was born in Sweetwater, Texas on August 31, 1934, to Claude Byron Whorton and Areita Risinger Whorton. He graduated from Newman High School in Sweetwater in 1951. He attended Southern Methodist University, graduating with BA in English in 1954 and a BBA in Accounting in 1956. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1957 and served honorably in the U.S. Army Audit Agency in Korea until his honorable discharge in 1959. He returned to Dallas where he worked for Lybrand, Ross Brothers, & Montgomery (now PwC) until 1962 as a CPA. During this time in Dallas, he was an active member of First Baptist Church where he was in the choir. He served in youth ministries teaching Sunday School, Training Union, and as Royal Ambassador Counselor. Dan felt he was called to ministry however he was not eligible for field missionary work as he was not married. In 1963 he moved to Richmond, Virginia to become Director of Accounting for what is now known as the International Mission Board, S.B.C. It was at this time that Dan began a lifelong mission – mentoring, serving and loving young men in Richmond. He was Royal Ambassador counselor at two SBC mission centers, Hillside Baptist Center and South Richmond Center. He taught Sunday School at Hillside Baptist Center, which later became Shalom Baptist Fellowship Church. Dan was later the leader of a Richmond Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, that would primarily be filled with athletes from George Wythe, Thomas Jefferson and Huguenot High Schools. The Lord gave Dan the privilege of ministering to hundreds of young men during his 39+ years, allowing Dan to co-labor with the Holy Spirit as He moved. Dan responded fully to the opportunity by deploying his time, talents, treasure and love in ways that reflected the grace and love of Dan had received from his Heavenly Father. It was as if it wasn't even a choice, but an unconscious reflex, like breathing. Dan considered these men his children, and they loved him back. Any attempt to describe all the things Dan was a part of during those 39 years is futile. What is clear is Dan was a force of nature in Richmond during those years, as he died to self and allowed the Lord to work through him into the lives of these men. Dan retired from the International Mission Board in 2002 with 39 ½ years of service and immediately moved to Israel to serve as accountant for the Baptist Mission of Israel. He would spend the next 14 years in Israel serving in this capacity while also continuing his life of relational ministry. He returned to Dallas in 2017 and continued his membership at First Baptist Church Dallas, rejoining the choir until 2020. During that time Dan was able to spend a great deal of time with the family in Texas and Alabama. He especially enjoyed spending his final years in the regular company of his brother, Don. Dan was a treasure for all the family during his life. We recognize him as a true hero of the Faith and are proud of him and all his "children". Dan is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ann Forester, her husband Bill, and his nephew Byron Forester. He is survived by his brother Don Whorton (Reta) along with niece Danell Sims (Billy), nephews Mike Forester (Jan), David Whorton (Claudia) and Mike Whorton (Melanie). Dan is now where he always wanted to be. He spent his life yearning to fully know his Savior Jesus Christ, looking through blurry glass. His earthly longing is now his ongoing, constant reality. He is with God himself, standing among the community of those who have gone before him. You fought the good fight. You finished the race. You kept the Faith. Well done.