Daniel "Danny" Bunch Dawkins

Daniel Bunch Dawkins Sr., affectionately known as "Danny Boy" to those that grew up with him and adoringly referred to as "Pap" by his grandchildren and their friends, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia, at the age of 72. Though he took his last breath in Augusta, his last memory will be his nap in his favorite chair.

Born on October 30, 1952, in Washington, Georgia, Danny's journey began in the humblest of settings, as a premature baby sleeping in a dresser drawer. His resilience and determination were evident from the start, growing into a towering figure of over 6 feet.

Danny met the love of his life in the 5th grade and they were soon to celebrate 53 years together. Danny's early years were steeped in the values of hard work and community where he attended Goshen Baptist Church as a child. From tending cattle, corn, and cotton on his father's farm to going to work with his daddy working at the sawmill during the summers, Danny learned the virtues of resourcefulness and the skills of mechanics which would serve him well throughout his life. At an early age, he became a man of his word and someone you could depend on.  One of his greatest pet peeves was being on time and he was punctual, almost to a fault. After graduating from Lincolnton High School, he attended Augusta Tech. Then he used his skills learned from his times working on his father's farm and sawmill when he worked at Norman Wrecking and operated his own shop, Dawkins Auto Repair. Later, he and his brother David operated Dawkins Logging together for several years. Afterwards, he worked at Pollard Lumber, City Tire and the Tara Golf Course. Also, he refurbished golf carts at his home until his health failed. This transition opened a new chapter in his life that allowed him to spend more time with his son, Daniel. Danny and Daniel became inseparable companions, sharing every day together. In addition, his daily routine began at 5:30 at Fast Times, followed by taxiing his grandchildren to and from school and ending at his daughter's house having dinner and spending time with his family. When family wasn't accompanying him, his loyal Golden Cream Retriever, Buddy, was his steadfast co-pilot, riding beside him in his truck, windows down and tail wagging.

His love for the simple pleasures in life - a good cigarette, a sprinkle of salt, and the taste of Hidden Valley ranch dressing - was well-known, and it was this appreciation for life's small delights that made him who he was. What you saw was what you got!

His commitment to his family and role as a grandfather—or "Pap" as he was affectionately called—was perhaps his most cherished. His heart was most full when surrounded by his grandchildren whom he shared his passion for gardening, especially growing tomatoes, and cutting firewood and no doubt passed on his knack for storytelling and humor to all three of his grandchildren. He referred to them as his "Big Dog, his "Little Man" and his "Ellie Mae. Danny's sense of humor was as legendary as his ability to fix anything. He was known for his humorous adages, many of which were too colorful for print but remain cherished memories for those of us who knew him best. He made several requests about his passing and always commented that he was worthy of being carried in a white hearse when his day arrived.  Many of those requests will be honored by the family he adored.

Danny's passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him. However, his legacy of kindness, humor, and a down-to-earth approach to life will continue to inspire and comfort his family and friends for years to come. All of which will live on in the love and wisdom that he imparted to his grandchildren. He took great pride in teaching them "the things a man should know how to do," a testament to his belief in self-reliance and resilience.  These lessons, shared during precious moments with their grandfather, will carry on as a testament to the man Danny was.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Norman Dawkins; a special son, Daniel Bunch Dawkins, Jr.; daughter, Beth Dawkins Antonakos, her husband Clay and their three children, Jack Ross, Sims Hollin and Lollie Elizabeth; sisters, Linda Miller and husband John Robert of Beech Island, SC, Lillie Thornton and husband Mike of Washington; brother, David H. Dawkins of Lincolnton; mother-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Norman; his wife's brothers and sisters and their spouses, James and Margaret Jones, Valerie and Ricky Raley, Clarence and Melissa Norman, and Peyton Norman (DeAnna) along with many adoring nieces and nephews and his dog, Buddy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Herndon "F.H." and Elizabeth "Beth" Bunch Dawkins, brother William Floyd Dawkins and father-in-law, Clarence E. Norman.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 2:30pm at Hephzibah Baptist Church with burial following in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to LC Paws, P.O. Box 84, Lincolnton, GA 30817.

The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6pm until 8pm at Beggs Funeral Home, Lincolnton.

Beggs Funeral Home Lincolnton is honored to serve the family of Mr. Daniel Bunch Dawkins, Sr.