Dwight Counts, 75, passed away on October 6, 2019, surrounded by his family. He was born June 1, 1944 in Lawrence County, Alabama, the son of Ewell Clyde and Cullie Wallace Counts. Dwight grew up at his home in Decatur and on the family farm in Lawrence County, Alabama. A hard work ethic was instilled in Dwight at a young age, and he kept part-time jobs through school to fund his many youthful ventures including a boat, a motorcycle, and a yellow Plymouth dubbed the Mayflower by the local drag strip. His job as a brickmason’s assistant built him enviably strong shoulders by the age of 12, and Dwight’s high school football coach made multiple attempts to recruit him for the football team. Dwight replied that he was too busy making money to play ball—a sentiment he held for many things in life, although he greatly enjoyed watching Alabama football games. He was a 1962 graduate of Decatur High School and on April 12, 1975 married Judy Folk of Olar, South Carolina, whom he met through their mutual employment at Daniel Construction Company in Barnwell, South Carolina. Dwight was Judy’s initial interviewer at Daniel and ironically, did not hire her, encouraging her to finish college instead. Judy didn’t listen (the first of many times) and was hired by another supervisor at Daniel. Dwight once held a pilot’s license and personally flew with Judy to South Caicos, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico among other exciting exploits, such as the time he flew into Barnwell County Airport on fumes. He was predeceased by his horn-rimmed glasses of 40+ years. Dwight had a way of pushing the limits. A highly principled and private man, Dwight was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He kept an immaculate car and yard, the latter of which earned him “Yard of the Month” at his home on Burningtree Mountain. He was a sharp businessman and worked for over a decade as branch manager for American Equipment Company, which took him all over the world accompanied by a pink-haired troll in his suitcase with arms wide bearing a message from his young daughter: I love you this much. Dwight held a real estate license and shared ownership of Rhodes Ferry Apartments in Decatur with former brother-in-law Wayne Key and his nephew, Randal Wayne Key. Dwight loved the outdoors and enjoyed a long and healthy retirement tending to his large yards in both South Carolina and Alabama. Above all, he took pride in making sure that his family was well taken care of. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Counts Canaday, his wife, Judy, his sister, Carol Counts Key, a nephew, Randal Wayne Key, a niece, Missey Key Nichols and her daughter, Meredith Nichols. In keeping with Dwight’s private ways and his wish that his estate be used for others rather than himself, there will be no services held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital in Greenville, SC.
