Daniel Lee Thomas (1954 – 2026)

Daniel Lee Thomas, 71, of Linden, Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Winchester Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held at 4 pm on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with a viewing from 2:30 to 4:00 pm, at Dynamic Life Praise and Worship Center, 1600 John Marshall Highway, Front Royal, Virginia 22630, with Pastor Elvi Rogers officiating.

Daniel Lee Thomas was born on November 19, 1954, in Arlington, Virginia, to the late Harriet Maxine Mapel McCoy. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph David Thomas, and his nephew, Russell “Rusty” Lee Thomas.

Surviving Daniel is his loving wife of 46 years, Tracie Thomas; his children, Chris Thomas, Amber Christian (Bo Welch), Kelly Thomas (Kayla), Stephanie Williams (Billy), and Sara Thomas (Chris Velazquez), adopted son, Michael Barbine, and Luka John Vetter; his godson, Joshua Vetter (Melissa); his brother, Charles Lester Thomas (Mary Thomas); his grandchildren, Madison, Abby, Gillian, Ryan, Angel, Landen, Daniel, RJ, Keira, John, Jacob, Riley, Isabelle, Roman, Montgomery, Lincoln, Huntleigh, Nickolai, and Katy; his great-grandchildren, Paisley, Sawyer, Nicholas, Bobby, Jamie, Shyanne; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Thomas and Kendall Elizabeth Sovereign; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Danny embodied a life of devotion to God, his family, his country, and community. A Vietnam-era veteran of the United States Army, he served in the first Military Police Canine Team stationed in Panama, where he earned a National Defense Medal for service during a time of national threat. After returning home, he worked for Giant Food in the Northern Virginia area for 39 years.

Danny met the love of his life at his mother’s going-away party. Mama McCoy managed the Officer’s Service Club in Washington, D.C., where Tracie and her mother, Mary, volunteered. Danny’s brother and lifelong best friend, Charlie, quickly fell for Tracie’s mother and married her in January of 1980. While both Danny and Tracie felt sparks early on, it wasn’t until the July 4th holiday later that year that they began a relationship that culminated in 46 years of marriage this past September. Danny waited a whole two weeks to propose to his lady love, and they married that autumn. Danny and Tracie, who loved the Lord, were baptized together two days before they were married, beginning a union that would bring great glory to our Lord. They are presently members of Dynamic Life Praise and Worship Center but previously attended and served at Agape Christian Church/Love Church for 40 years. He mainly served on their Security Team.

Over the years, the couple took turns being the “wind beneath each other’s wings.” Under Danny’s leadership as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 178, he brought Tracie on as his assistant. Together they led boys of all ages on camping trips, river adventures, hiking expeditions, and gave them the skill-based learning that grows boys into men. For almost two decades, Danny assisted 15 young men, including his own two sons, to become Eagle Scouts – the highest award possible in scouting.

Another example of their partnership was the family-owned business. Danny has supported Tracie’s efforts to run Memories Engraving since 1998. If you ever received a trophy from their business, it was likely one Danny built. Tracie referred to Danny as the “best trophy builder in the Valley”.

Together they worked with Streetwise Ministries – a community-based ministry held at Marlow Heights Baptist Church for at-risk children, youth, and adults. This ministry provided a weekly bible study and hot meal to those in need. While Danny worked mostly behind the scenes, they ministered together to many who felt forgotten. Danny loved them all, but the Lord seemed to give him a particular heart for the homeless. Danny brought meals to the homeless and sometimes cooked for special youth events. For many years, he also helped Tracie pick up food donations once or twice a week and deliver them to CCAP, men’s and women’s shelters, food pantries, and people in neighborhoods around the area. Danny also served weekly at Agape Christian Church in its food pantry ministry for many years.

To the reader, this list of acts of service might seem enough to characterize someone as good or kind, but Danny wasn’t working for others’ approval. Danny’s good deeds didn’t stop when the public door closed.

Over the years, Danny opened his home to more than 46 people in need of help or a place to lay their head. Together with his wife, he housed many who needed practical, tangible evidence of our Father’s love, compassion, and provision. Tracie tells the story of the time the census bureau called to update their records. Danny laughed and handed the phone to Tracie to give the rundown of over 9 people who were staying in their home at the time. Danny and Tracie took in couples needing mentoring, the homeless needing shelter, and children needing a home and stability. This is who Danny was at his core.

But no discussion of Danny is complete without telling of the greatest joy of his life- his five children, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, godchildren, and the rest of his family, including his brothers and moms. Danny was happiest when he spent time with them. While other men were eager for a break from work and service, Danny’s first thought was always, “Which kid can I go see?” A well-known “Dad” shenanigan was to call one of his children and say, “Boy, I’m feeling like a cookout – aren’t you?” to which the child of the moment would answer, “We would love to have a cookout with you, Daddy. Danny would then call the rest of the family to invite them over as well! It was his way of gathering his loved ones together. He would always buy his daughters candy and flowers for Valentine’s Day and birthdays, wanting them to know how very, very special they were to him. He was inordinately proud of the men his sons have become. He showed up consistently out of sheer unmatched love for them all. According to Tracie, the qualities of Danny most evident in his children are “a fierce love and loyalty to family, his goodness, his patriotism, and tremendous work ethic. I see those qualities in each of them.”

Danny’s life verse was the words Jesus spoke on the mount. Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, [and recognize and honor] and glorify your Father who is in heaven”.

Daniel Lee Thomas was a quiet man who shone with a very bright light. He didn’t just talk about his faith in God- he walked it out in his family, his church, and his community. Well-done Danny. We will miss you until we see you again.
Pallbearers will be friends and family.