Daniel Burr Owsley

Daniel Burr Owsley, best known as “Mr. Dan,” born Sept. 26, 1938, passed away suddenly on April 15.

Though he was formally employed by and retired after 34 years of service at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in occupation, Mr. Dan wore a title of “jack of all trades.”

He married the love of his life, Catherine Mary Owsley, in 1990, and with her came three boys: Neal, Nicholas, and Nolan Smith, whom he raised as his own. In addition to his three stepsons, and without biological children of his own, Mr. Dan took a large role in helping to raise and minister to a countless numbers of children throughout his life. He truly was a father to the fatherless, and he dedicated his time to children who needed additional love and support. This can be most easily confirmed by taking a snap shot of his post-retirement past times from teaching at “Mother’s Day Out” to driving the children’s “choo choo” train at the local mall.

More significantly Mr. Dan was actively involved in the Children’s Ministry at Faith Promise Church as he is widely recognized as the man who greeted children on Sunday mornings in wild, crazy outfits he and his wife Cathy pieced together… It’s rumored that he had upwards of 300 unique costumes, including everything from a Leprechaun to a human Christmas tree. Always smiling, he never let a child enter without a warm welcome. Superseding his love for children was his love and dedication to his Father in heaven.

Mr. Dan was also known as “the fix-it man” who had the ingenuity to turn just about anything that was broken into something magically usable. He also had many hobbies ranging from cheering on his beloved Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, wood working, tinkering with model railroad trains, and traveling to see costal cities to see light houses.

At the time of his death, he was completing something on his “bucket list”: hiking to LeConte Lodge in the Smoky Mountains. It was as though God allowed Mr. Dan to request the location, though He determined the time.

He dutifully served his country and is a veteran of the United States Navy.

In addition to his wife and three stepchildren, Dan leaves behind a large number of friends and family who loved and appreciated Dan more than any words can express: Shanna Smith (daughter-in-law); Adeline Smith (grandchild); Lauren Yoes (daughter-in-law); Hunter Davidson, Kylan Smith, and Jace Smith (grandchildren); Kayla Beaty (adopted grandchild); Amanda and Herb Gill (adopted son and daughter); and Aidene, Gabine, Holdene, and Landone Gill (adopted grandchildren).

Instead of flowers, please send donations to the Children’s Ministry at Faith Promise Church, 10740 Faith Promise Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931.

A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, April 18, at 8 p.m. at Faith Promise Church with Dr. Chris Stephens officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church. Interment will be Saturday, April 20, in Senora, Ky.