Danny Ross (Ret) Maj. Emory

Major Danny Ross Emory (Ret.) passed away peacefully Monday, October 5, 2015 in Garner, NC with his wife and daughter present. Dan was born on June 29, 1926 in Durham, NC; the youngest son of the late John Henry and Ethel Mae Emory. He was deeply loved by his family and friends. He will be remembered for his contributions to his family, church, profession, and community. Dan graduated from Durham High School in 1944 prior to enlisting into the U.S. Army the following August, reporting to Camp Blanding, Florida. At the age of 17, he was sent to Europe as a replacement at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a Mess Sergeant, responsible for feeding thousands of hungry men in combat. After serving honorably he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1949 at the end of World War II. Dan was awarded a Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Occupation Ribbon (Germany). Returning home from Germany, Dan met and then married Frances Elizabeth Spence, whom he always called “Frank”, on April 16, 1947. His only child, Ronda Ross, was born in August 1949. Dan joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol in 1951, being stationed in Garner and spent his career in Wake County, serving the people of North Carolina. In 1964 Sergeant Emory became the first North Carolina Highway Patrol graduate from the Northwestern Traffic Institute at Northwestern University. Returning home and obtaining the rank of Lieutenant, Dan was stationed at the Raleigh Headquarters. After serving as Commandant of the UNC Traffic Institute in Chapel Hill he returned to the Raleigh Office where he served the remainder of his career. In 1985, Dan retired with the rank of Major from the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety as the Director of Administrative Services for the Highway Patrol after 34 years of devoted service. Dan was a devout Christian and a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Garner. Dan was always proud of his membership in the Sam Powell Bible Class. One of his fondest joys was his Masonic membership in the Vandora Lodge 745. For years he enjoyed collecting aluminum cans to help the Lodge buy Christmas presents for the Oxford Home for Children. Dan could always be found working at the annual Masonic fish fries in Garner. A voracious reader, he always enjoyed World War II history and books about historical figures. Leaving behind many cherished friends and a loving family who will miss him deeply: his devoted wife of 64 years, Frances Spence Emory; daughter, Ronda E. Swindell, and son-in-law Charles A. Swindell of Raleigh; cherished granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Swindell of Clemson, S.C. (Who lovingly named him “Dan Papa” at the age of two); loved grandson, Clarke Taylor Swindell of Smyrna, Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews of whom he was very fond. Dan was the last surviving family member of his generation. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, John Henry Emory, Jr., infant, Billy Emory, and Harry Emory; and sisters, Lois Trice, Virginia Elliott, Mary Fonville and Charlotte Sigmon, all of Durham, N.C. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the loving staff of The Laurels of Forest Glen for their care and compassion during Maj. Emorys stay. Visitation will be Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner, NC from 6:00-8:00. Memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, October 9, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 601 St. Mary’s Street, Garner, followed by internment at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607.