Daniel "Dan" Sims Major

Born December 2, 1957, Daniel Sims Major, devoted son of Sara Patton Major and the late Grady Howard Major, died Friday, September 20, 2013. Dan was the proud father of Holly Major Gunderson and Spc. Jacob Cole Major, and was the sweetheart and soul mate of Christie K. Howard. A life fully lived can't simply be summarized in a few lines, but should be appreciated with the love, laughter, and tears that accompany each story told by the lucky ones who shared the journey.

His two children Holly and Cole were the focus of his world. Bringing unspeakable joy to his life were Holly, her husband Aaron, and their children Anna, Daniel, and Lauren; Cole, his wife Stephanie, and their daughter, Lanee.

Those who have lost their "pater familias" are his brother Staff Sgt. Christopher Major (Wendy), sisters Susan Petty (Jim), Dr. Laura Brown (Danny Shaw), Beth Mullins and Jennifer Hudson (Michael a.k.a. Sparky); his children Holly and Cole and their families (named above); his nephews William Brown (Mindy), Garrett Major and Nathan Mullins; his nieces Mary Ann Nickles (Tom), Alice Polatty (Danny), Stephanie Mullins, Missy Sneddon (Brian), Amy Botts, Molly McDermott, Meredith Major and Claire Hudson; great-nephews Zach Polatty, Grady Maddox Brown, Thomas Nickles and Nicholas Powell; great-nieces Cameron Nickles, Ashlann Peacon, Cameron Saxon, Madde Peacon, Olivia Polatty and Layla Brown. They all loved their Uncle Dan and will miss the fun and laughter he brought into their lives. Also sharing the loss are his lifelong buddies Michael Botts, David Burton and Danny Loftis.

Welcoming him into that land over yonder are many friends, as well as his Daddy, Howard Major, brother Boyce Major, brother-in-law Dan Mullins and his infant son Daniel Sims Major II.

His journey on this earth took him down many paths, mostly ridden atop his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Along his way, he graduated from Calhoun Falls High School, attended Newberry College and the College of Charleston. Working most of his life in construction and iron work, he was blessed with an early retirement to allow him to travel the country, camping, mining for gemstones and sharing his gift as a storyteller and jokester. He loved the Gamecocks, a good round of golf (especially if he was winning), the "Major Beach Fest," pickin' his guitar, and he offered all those around him a glimpse of his unsurpassed knowledge of trivia, maps, music, and Perry Mason.

He was baptized into the Baptist faith and enjoyed his time with the Lord most as he traveled the highways and bi-ways, savoring and photographing the glorious creation of God, with Psalm 8:3-4, in his mind and heart. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him, as to know him, was to love him.

A Celebration of Dan's life will be conducted Friday Sept. 27, 2013 at 3:30 PM in the Chapel at Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home in Abbeville, SC. The family is at the home 227 Autumn Trace Greenwood, SC.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Friday afternoon at the funeral home prior to services.

Memorials in memory of Dan may be made to Anderson Toy Parade C/O Confederate Bike Club 467 Paradise Point Abbeville, SC 29620 or to Labor of the Fields Church PO Box 13435 Anderson, SC 29624 or a charity of one's choice.

Visitation

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Friday, September 27, 2013
1:00 - 3:00 PM

Service

Funeral Home
Chandler Chapel, Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Friday, September 27, 2013
3:30 PM

Memorial Contributions

Anderson Toy Parade
c/o Confederate Bike Club
467 Paradise Point
Abbeville, SC 29620 Labor of the Fields Church
PO Box 13435
Anderson, SC 29624