Daniel Hoke Pipes

Daniel Hoke Pipes passed away on February 24, 2026. Born in Aniston, Alabama to Hoke Smith Pipes and Sarah Daniel Pipes, the family moved to Columbia, South Carolina where he resided thereafter. He was a proud graduate of Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina with a Master’s in Education.

Daniel was a lifelong educator. He began his career as a teacher working at Wilson Hall in Sumter, SC and Bonham Academy in Batesburg, SC. He traded standing in front of a classroom for standing in front of a camera after transitioning to a career with South Carolina Educational Television in the Office of Instructional Technology, earning awards for several programs, including the Palmetto Special. Known as the “50-minute man,” he explored South Carolina’s history and culture.

After retiring from SCETV, he returned to teaching at Dreher High School followed by A.C. Flora High School. At A.C. Flora he not only taught classes, but he was also the driving force to create a men’s Lacrosse team and coached the team for several years.

Although Daniel was a world traveler, he loved his annual stateside trips to New York City, Vermont and the Kentucky Derby. He especially loved train travel, often visiting the train station to watch arrivals and departures. His favorite train trips were on the way to Vermont when he could go to bed in the sleeper car and wake up to see snow on the ground.

Daniel dedicated his life to community service as a Boy Scout troop leader, coach, mentor and host parent to foreign exchange students. He was always there to support and make people happy. Later in life, he loved the support he received from family and friends, and especially from the Men’s Prayer Breakfast he attended each Friday through Kilbourne Park Baptist Church.

Although he never married, he was affectionately known as “Uncle Danny” to his niece and her friends. He babysat, taught her to ski and shared his love of train travel and South Carolina’s history and culture.

He is survived by his niece, Sarah Blackwell Soltau (Andrew Soltau), and brother-in-law, Patrick Blackwell (Jane Blackwell). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Sallie Pipes Blackwell.

The service honoring Mr. Pipes will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Columbia, SC. The family will receive guests at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Trinity Foundation, Kilbourne Park Baptist Church or the National Kidney Foundation.