Danny Dempsey

Daniel "Danny" Harding Dempsey, age 73, died at his home in Sugar Grove, VA surrounded by his family on Monday, June 23, 2025 after an extended battle with lung disease and cancer.

Danny, born January 25, 1952 in Marion, VA, was the third of six children of Charles Warren “Ringeye” and Ruby Combs Dempsey. Danny was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Wanda Hayden.

Danny married his wife of 47 years, Patricia “Pat” Dempsey, in October 1977 and was blessed with 3 biological daughters, Jennifer (Travis) Greer, Hope (Jim) Overbay, and Jessica (Chris) Hinson. He also adopted Pat’s siblings, Charlie (Deedee) Roberts and Cindy (Laura) Roberts who he raised and loved as his own children. The loves and joys of his life were his 8 grandchildren, Brady Roberts; Abbie and Mollie Cregger; Garrett, Walker, and Kelsey Overbay; and Ethan and Emily Hinson. He never missed a chance to show up for his grandkids- whether it was a birthday, a ball game, or other activity, he loved teaching them everyday life skills.

Danny is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and his siblings Charlotte Eller, Dale Dempsey, Wiley Dempsey, and Regina Osborne and his “surrogate” kids Jason, Terry and “My Amy” Dempsey. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Danny served in the United States Coast Guard from 1970-1974 in active duty and was in the United States Coast Guard Reserves from 1975-1983. Serving as an Electrician's Mate Third Class (rank of EM-3), Danny loved discussing his adventures in the engine room on the USCGC Burton Island, an Ice Breaker that traveled the Pacific to the Bearing Sea, Alaska and Antarctica from 1971-1973. Danny also served on the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance from June-August 1977, which traveled to Puerto Rico. Danny was a proud member of VFW post 4667 in Marion, VA.

Danny was an avid outdoorsman and loved turkey hunting, deer hunting, and fishing. Danny caught the Virginia State Record Brown Trout in 1985 and held this record for 4 years. He has killed many turkey and deer and the pride of his life was teaching his children and grandsons how to hunt and his grandchildren how to fish. If you have visited him at his home, you have been given a tour of the “gun room” and his deer, turkey and fish memorabilia. Danny was an avid storyteller with an amazing memory and loved passing his wisdom on to his family and friends. He was a role model whose actions spoke louder than words. He showed his love by the way he carried himself, the way he treated people, and his willingness to help a friend or neighbor in need. He was honest, dependable, and loved his family with his whole heart.

Danny will most often be remembered as a handyman who could fix anything and a skilled woodworker. He spent most of his employment in maintenance positions at Southern States, Holiday Inn, Pepsi Bottling Company and Merillat Corporation, retiring in 2014 only to begin working mostly full time with his son, Charlie, and grandson, Brady, doing general contracting work up until his diagnosis in September 2024. He and Pat also worked a second job for many years with his sister, Wanda Hayden, at Thomas Bridge Cabinet Shop building custom furniture. He and his family expanded their home over their 47-year marriage and built most of their oak cabinets and furniture. He participated fully in the complete remodel of their home after it flooded during Hurricane Helene in September 2024. He was so proud that he had taught all of his children, including his daughters, to be handy with power tools and home repairs.

Danny enjoyed traveling and visited 45 of the 50 states during his lifetime. While he now continues on to his greatest adventure of all in heaven, he will be greatly missed by his loved ones here on earth.

The family would like to thank Lewis Gale Pulaski Oncology, Dr. Gupta and staff of the Salem VA Medical Center, Wythe Palliative Care and Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia, especially Nicole, for the care given to our family during this difficult journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christian Aid Ministries, PO Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610 in memory of Danny. This organization was instrumental in the repair of their house after Hurricane Helene.

The family will receive friends Friday, June 27, 2025 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA. Funeral services will begin at 7 p.m. with Pastor Chuck Stout and Pastor David Medley officiating. Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Slemp Cemetery, 234 Horne Hollow Road, Sugar Grove, Va. with Military Rites conducted by U.S. Coast Guard Funeral Honors and Francis Marion VFW Post #4667. Pallbearers will be Wiley Dempsey, Brady Roberts, Jason Dempsey, Terry Dempsey, Richard Sauls and David Sheets. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:45 a.m.

To share memories of Daniel "Danny" Harding Dempsey, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Danny has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, VA 24354.