Dan Wise

Dan Wise, age 79, of Marion, North Carolina, departed to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills SECU Inpatient Unit with his loved ones by his side.  The son of the late Austin and Evalena Burns Wise, he was born in Webster Parrish, Louisiana on February 26, 1940.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Rudolph Wise.    

Dan was a retired scientist/educator. He attended Louisiana Tech for two years where he played trumpet in the marching band. He earned a B.S. in physics/biology from Southern Arkansas University. He also earned a M.S. in Technology from the University of Texas at Tyler, and equivalent M.S. in educational administration. Dan worked in his early years as a railroad agent/telegrapher and as an insurance and credit investigator. After serving in the Army security agency as a liaison person with British Intelligence, he returned to school to work towards advanced degrees. He served six years as a physicist for the Department of Defense during which time he also taught space science at the National Cryptologic School at Fort Meade Maryland. Dan worked as a physics, chemistry and biology teacher. He was also a K-12 principal. He worked for the US Department of Energy at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

His teaching career was at East McDowell Junior High (now middle school) for eleven years as a physics/science teacher. Also, after a move to Texas he taught Science and Physics at Hawkins High School in Hawkins, Texas. Also, back in Marion in 1995, he taught Physics and Technology at McDowell High until retirement in 2005. His business interests included ownership of Sportsman Motor Lodge (now Sportsman Inn) where all the kids learn to swim at what was once known as the "Little Catawba".

Dan is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rose Wise of the home; three children, Sandi Lane (Richard) of Inman, South Carolina, Dr. Warren Wise (Dr. Farah) of Beaufort, South Carolina and Gina Chaney (Dan) of Naples, Florida; two sisters, Jane Talley of Minden, Louisiana and Corinne Haynes (Franklin) of Spring Hill, Louisiana; and one brother, Albert Wise (Shirley) of Taylor, Arkansas.  He is also survived by his five loving grandchildren, Brendan Porter, Michael Lane, Stephen Lane (Maggie), Hannah Wise and David Wise; two step grandchildren, Grant Chaney and Kate Chaney; and his special canine companion, Clancy.

A celebration of Dan’s life will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service in Marion with Dr. Timothy Wise officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the United States Army.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Flowers are acceptable and appreciated.  Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Dan’s memory are asked to consider, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043 or by visiting www.hocf.org.