LTC Ret Daniel Ray “Danny” Lasater, 68, died Saturday, December 29, 2018 in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a brief illness while traveling with his beloved wife, Linda. Danny was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee on March 13, 1950 to Wendell and Mary Paul Norton Lasater, who both preceded him in death in 2014. He attended public schools in Lewisburg and graduated from Marshall County Senior High in 1968. He attended Columbia State Community College and joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1969. He began work at South Central Bell in March of 1971. He retired from the National Guard in 1999 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, working at State Headquarters. During his military career he held assignments in Lewisburg, Pulaski, Waynesboro, Columbia, Jackson and Nashville. He retired from AT&T in June 2008.
Danny was active in a number of organizations throughout Maury County and all of Tennessee. He was an active member of South Gate Church of Christ. He was an active supporter of Columbia Academy, where he served as Past President of the Athletic Booster Club and gave generously. He was Past President of the Columbia Noon Rotary Club, where he has been an active member since 1988, earning multiple Paul Harris Fellow Awards and thirty years of perfect attendance. He was a Past President of the Columbia Council Telephone Pioneers of America and Past Commander of American Legion Post 19 in Columbia, where he proudly served on Post 19’s burial detail honoring and assisting families of deceased veterans. He was also a Life Member of the National Guard Association of Tennessee.
Danny’s military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon, Individual Achievement Ribbon, Service Ribbon, Volunteer Ribbon, Tennessee Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon and Meritorious Service Medal.
Danny’s most important and influential roles were as loving and devoted husband, proud father and adoring grandfather. He cherished and protected his family, and they were the center of his life. Danny’s impact will be felt for many years in the lives of his five grandsons, or as he called them, “Them Boys.”
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Linda Ayers Lasater, daughter Julie (Brian) Bergman of Miami, Florida, and son Seth (Melissa) Lasater of Columbia. Danny’s five grandsons are Caleb Bergman, Jacob Bergman, Finley Lasater, William Lasater and Samuel Lasater. Danny’s brother Tom (Kim) Lasater resides in Fayetteville, Tennessee. He is also survived by three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
The family will welcome visitors from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at South Gate Church of Christ with John Thomas, James Thomas, and Joe Macer officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers include Gynn Rice, Wade Matheny, Edward Potts, Lloyd Cross, Con Vrailas, Steven McCollum, Richard Jackson, and Eddie Priest. Honorary pallbearers include Dwaine Beck, Bill Terry, George Jones, Willie Jones, members of the Columbia Noon Rotary Club and members of American Legion Post 19.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Columbia Academy, the South Gate Church of Christ Building Fund or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com.
