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 the viewing just prior 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 the going-away party for his mother. Mama McCoy had managed the Officer’s Service Club in Washington D.C. where Tracie and her mother Mary were volunteers. Danny’s brother and lifelong best-friend Charlie had been quickly smitten with Tracie’s mother and married her in January of 1980. While both Danny and Tracie felt sparks early on, it would be the July 4th holiday later that same year before the two of them would begin a relationship that would culminate in 46 years of marriage this past September. Danny waited a whole two weeks to propose to his lady love and the couple were 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 as a member of their Security Team.
Through the years the couple took turns being the “wind beneath each other’s wings”. Under Danny’s leadership as Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 178, he brought Tracie on to be his assistant. Together they led boys of all ages on camping trips, river adventures, hiking expeditions and gave them the skill-based learning that grow 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 that originated from their business, it was likely a trophy that 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 to at-risk children, youth and adults. This ministry provided a weekly bible study and hot meal to those in need. While Danny operated mostly behind the scenes, together they ministered to many that felt forgotten. Danny loved them all, but the Lord seemed to give him a particular heart for the homeless. Danny brought meals for the homeless and sometimes cooked for special events for the youth. In addition, for many years he would help Tracie pick up food donations once or twice a week and deliver them to CCAP, men’s and women’s shelters, food pantries and to people in neighborhoods around the area. Danny also served weekly at Agape Christian Church in their food pantry ministry to the community for many years.
For the reader this list of acts of service might seem enough to characterize someone as good or kind, but Danny wasn’t working for the approval of others. Danny’s good deeds didn’t stop when the public door closed.
Danny opened his home to over 46 people throughout the years in need of help or a place to lay their head. Together with his wife his home housed many in need of the practical and 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 in need of mentoring, homeless in need of shelter, and children in need of 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 at his happiest when spending 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 get on the phone to 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. The qualities of Danny that are most evident in his children according to Tracie 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 were the words spoken by Jesus 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 shined 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.