Gary Dan Bagwell

Gary Dan “Danny” Bagwell, 89, entered into his heavenly home on Monday, May 29, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was an outstanding example of a true Christian southern gentleman. Danny was born in Greenville, SC, on April 20, 1934, to Daniel and Gaynell Bagwell, as an only child. He grew up in the Monaghan Mills community where he discovered his love for playing baseball in the nearby sandlot throughout his childhood. Before attending Parker High School, he met the love of his life, Bessie Lee Turner, at summer camp, and they soon became high school sweethearts. While at Parker High School, Danny was a three-sport athlete excelling in football, basketball, and baseball while being highly ranked scholastically and was considered a fine all-round student. Coach Whitie Kendall of Parker considered Danny “one of the two best all-round athletes he had ever had.” He noted Danny was an all-round “good boy and good student.” In May 1952, he was awarded The Greenville Piedmont best all-round athlete medal for the second consecutive year and was a member of the North South team. Upon graduating from Parker High School in 1952, Danny was a highly recruited football prospect but decided to attend The Georgia Institute of Technology due to the fact that Coach Bobby Dodd approved of his players being married. On December 19, 1953, Danny married his beloved Bessie Lee Turner who supported him throughout his football college years playing offensive and defensive end for the Yellow Jackets. One of the highlights of his college career was playing in the January 2, 1956, Sugar Bowl in which the 7th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the 11th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers, 7 – 0. Later in 1956, Danny graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Engineering and began his professional career with Southern Bell in Greenville, SC, while serving in the Army Reserves as an officer. Throughout his career, Danny transferred among cities within South Carolina with a two-year assignment in New York. While serving as an Operations Manager, Danny was also involved with various civic organizations, including the Lion’s Club and Jaycees. In addition, he served on various church committees and with several school parent-teacher organizations, was a basketball referee, and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He enjoyed researching his genealogy and playing golf. Even though Danny was a well-respected businessman and athlete, his true love and devotion was to his family. Danny and Bessie were the proud parents of two daughters, LaDonna and Dana. Danny was a true Christian role model for his girls by instilling the importance of hard work, perseverance, excelling in academics, developing strong character, standing up for what is right and just, having a good sense of humor as well as loving and respecting others. In September 1981, Danny became “Granddaddy” to his only grandson, Chandler, followed by three granddaughters Kaitlin, Brandon, and Logan. Granddaddy was always grinning from ear to ear and held a monopoly on holding his grandbabies. Granddaddy created his “Duck” drawing which became his signature addition to all cards and special gifts. On June 4, 2010, Granddaddy’s Duck became GGDaddy’s Duck with the birth of his first great-grandson soon followed by seven additional great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. Throughout the years, Danny always supported and encouraged his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by attending numerous fashion shows, school programs, ballgames, dance recitals and competitions, chorus performances, cheerleading competitions, birthday parties, graduations, weddings, and he took great joy in celebrating special times and holidays with his family. His family adored him and loved listening to all his many stories from his childhood and sports experiences, plus they learned all about love and devotion from him. Danny is survived by his loving wife of almost seventy years, Bessie Lee Turner; daughters LaDonna Bagwell Davis (Keith “Chip”) and Dana Beth Bagwell; grandchildren Keith “Chandler” Davis, Jr. (Julie), Kaitlin Davis Tew (Michael), Brandon Elizabeth Wooten (Dustin), and Dana Logan McMillan (Charles “Chas”); great-grandchildren Dustin Harper Wooten, Easton Brooks McMillan, Maysen Carter McMillan, Daniel Taylor Davis, Whitt Palmer Wooten, Michael Robinson Tew, Jr., Cal Miller Wooten, Grayson William Davis, and Turner Lee Tew. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212, with entombment at Bush River Memorial Gardens.