Charleston Gazette
6/3/2015

Daniel Aaron Tawney, 91, of Newton, went home to be with the Lord on Monday June 1, 2015. He was born June 4, 1923, the youngest child of Aaron and Almon Graham-Tawney.

Dan grew up on his family's farm just outside of Newton, where many wonderful childhood memories were made and remained with him until his final days. He was a 1941 Spencer High School graduate. He wed Hazel M. Short in June 1943, and they continued to farm and raise a family on the homestead.

He was a former member and superintendent of Newton Baptist Church. He had been a school bus driver, a deputy sheriff in Roane County, then worked several years in pipeline and road construction, where he later retired as a supervisor for the State of West Virginia Department of Highways. Many will remember him as an avid baseball and softball fan and coach. He played on and coached many great teams throughout a span of 50 years, hardly ever knowing a stranger at the ballfield. Dan loved his family, friends and community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Hazel Short Tawney; a daughter, Karen A. Tawney; a son, Jerry W. Tawney; six brothers, Ernest, Clement, Clark, Garrison, Jarrett "Buzz" and Harry Tawney; three sisters, Mabel Rogers, Mamie Haines and Florence Dalton; and a grandson.

Dan is survived by his daughter, Sandra Gray and her husband, JR, of Newton; sister, Anna Desposito and her husband, Mike, of Rio Rancho, N.M.; son-in-law, Gary Tawney of Newton; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of lifelong friends.

Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home, Spencer, with the Rev. Ron Fisher officiating. Burial will be in Tawney Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Geary Athletic Boosters, 9538 Clay Road, Left Hand, WV 25251, in his memory.