Dan Lewis Titus

Dan L. Titus of Dawsonville, passed away March 3, 2011. Dan was a Vietnam Veteran and went to Antartica in the Coast Guard, retired from the U. S. Navy and Lockheed. He played the bagpipes for 42 years. He started taking Bagpipe lessons in 1968 from Frank MacLachlan. He became a chareter member of the Atlanta Pipe Band in 1971 and attained the position of Pipe Sergeant. In 1973, he won the prestegious "Best Piper in Georgia" award at the Stone Mountain Highland Games Piping Competition. While serving a six year tour in the U.S. Coast Guard, Dan played in New Zealand, Australia, and Antartica. After completing this tour in 1980, he joined John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes and Drums where he was elected to the position of Pipe Major before leaving in 1986. Since then, Dan has played solo and in concert with military bands for Naval and Marine Corps ceremonies, including playing on the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor and playing Amazing Grace with the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Okinawa atop Mount Suribachi for the 50th anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima. Dan loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. He is survived by his daughter, Emily Titus Long, son in law, Jacob Long and two granddaughters all of Canton. A graveside service with military honors will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Dan requested donations be made to the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance,www.cgmahq.org. Sandy Springs Chapel Funeral Directors, 136 Mt. Vernon Highway NW, Sandy Springs, 30328.