Richard D. Dantzler

Rick, as friends and family knew him, was born July 5, 1950 in Dalton, Georgia to William Frank Dantzler and Betty Jean (Pinson) Dantzler. He was the first of their three children.

Rick took up bowling in his teens and it became a passion throughout his life. He won two 'three hundred point' rings of which he was so proud. He joined the US Armed forces where he spent nine years. In Panama, he served as a Spanish Interpreter for the Secret Service branch of the Army. Most of his life, he worked in the computer programming industry. He opened Cardinal Software with three partners which was later renamed Therix. He went in with other partners to open a bowling alley in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He later left the partnership but he fulfilled a dream of owning something he was so zealous. Eventually he went to work for Lowe's Hardware where he worked in several positions including management for a programming team. He retired and moved to Sunset Beach, North Carolina and subsequently to Little River, South Carolina. Another dream of his was to move to the beach and he fulfilled that goal as well.

Rick was a fantastic husband to Cathy spending 38 years together, married for 34 of those years. Rick was a great son, brother, Dad, friend, husband, uncle and Pawpaw. He loved his family so much. He will be loved and missed forever.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Crow Dantzler; his brother, Allen Dantzler (Donna); his son Richard William Dantzler (Linette); his daughter Stacy Southern Whitaker (Marty); grandchildren Austin and Cobe Dantzler; Micah, Isaiah, and Hannah George, Abigail Hobes; Makenna Whitaker and Danny Austin; a special brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Debbie Crow; and a special nephew, Joshua Crow, who he took under his wing and served as a father figure to him while Josh battled Leukemia. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betty Lynn Williams.

There will not be a funeral service at this time. There will be a Celebration of Life ceremony later in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

The family would like to thank the SECU Family House in Wilmington, North Carolina for their hospitality during Rick's stay in the New Hanover Hospital.

In lieu of flowers for the family, please make donations to the SECU Family House 1523 Physicians Drive Wilmington, NC 28401 or SECU Family House 1970 Baldwin Lane Winston Salem, NC 27103.

Special memories and condolences may be left at www.leefhandcrematory.com

Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.