Daniel Rhea Potts

Daniel Rhea Potts, age 74 of Whitney passed away Friday, November 24, 2023. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, December 1, 2023, at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Whitney with Billy Stone of the Nazarene Church officiating and Chaplin Fred Raney assisting.  A visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 pm Friday, December 1, 2023 at the funeral home prior to the service.

Daniel was born February 2, 1949 in Ft. Worth, Texas to William Daniel and Lyna LaFay (Fergerson) Potts. At the age of 17, after high school, Dan became an ambulance driver and funeral assistant at Donnelly’s Colonial Funeral before joining the United States Air Force on December 26, 1968. He was in the military for 7 years and 4 months and 11 days.  From December 26, 1968, to May 17, 1976. After Basic Training and tech school in Denver, CO, he was stationed at Yokota Air Base in Japan as an Inventory Management Supervisor overseeing the receiving and distribution of the ammunition at the base. Once he was called to the front gate of the base because a farmer had brought in a bomb he found in his field.  It turned out the bomb was still armed. For his dedication to duty while serving in Guam during the Vietnam War, Dan was awarded the Air Force Commendation (AFCM) presented to members who, while serving with the AF have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement and service, November 6, 1972.

He performed various duties: Patrolling property, supervising up to 50 other security officers, training security officers, maintaining security equipment, maintaining employee records, hiring staff, setting the work schedules. Other duties included: Loss prevention, Red Cross Instructor, teaching CPR, AED, and First Aid to employees, and first responder for all onsite incidents and medical emergencies.

Daniel also worked with a private investigator, personal bodyguard, Locksmith for in house door keys, worked with electric security systems, and coordinated other law enforcement personnel. In addition to security Dan was an OSHA Instructor and maintained Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) file.

Daniel also certified and demonstrated proficiency in the knowledge and application of the following: Expandable Baton, Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) Spray, Pressure Point Self Defense.

In his spare time, he earned the following: Black belt in Tae Kwon Do (Korean martial art) (1982-1989) Black belt in martial arts weapons (1989-1996): Katana (Samurai Sword), Bodo (6 fount staff), Sai (dagger), Kama (Japanese bill hook), Tonfa (short staff with a perpendicular handle), and licensed by ATF as a Firearm Dealer through his business Old Farts Firearms (2005-2010).

He was certificated by TXDPS as a certified instructor for Licensed to Carry (LTC) with his business, Safe Gun Academy (2005- 2012), Certified by Glock as a Glock Armorer (2007), Certified by TX Parks and Wildlife as a Hunter Education Instructor (2007-2010), Certified by Utah DPS as a Concealed Firearm Instructor (2010-2013), and Certified by NRA as an instructor for: Home Firearm Safety, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Protection in the Home, Protection Outside the Home, Range Safety Officer.

Daniel was also involved in church activities:  Sang in the church choir, Operated the camera for the church, performed in church plays, Wrote short plays for church. He had memberships in: National Rifle Association of America, and American Legion.

Dan was the beloved husband of 49 Years to his wife Marjorie Fahrforth Potts, left to cherish his memory are children, son, Daniel Rhea Potts, Jr., wife Nicole (McEacharn) Potts, Arlington, TX; daughter, Jessica Ann Potts, Saginaw, TX; 9 Grandchildren, Johnathan D. Potts of Fort Worth, TX, Zachary D. Barker-Potts of Saginaw, TX, Kristopher N. Potts of Colleyville, TX, Savannah C. Potts of  Arlington, TX, Michael F. Potts of Arlington, TX, Dylan W. Dickerson of Saginaw, TX, Maddison E. Dickerson of Saginaw, TX, Logan L. Dickerson of Saginaw, TX,  Jaxson J. Dickerson of Saginaw, TX.; sister, Patricia “Pat” Wright, husband Bobby Wright.

Daniel is preceded in death by his father, William Daniel Potts (deceased); stepmother, Shirley H. Potts, (deceased) Azle, TX; mother, Lyna Lafay Fergerson Potts Lewis (deceased), husband Carlton Lewis (deceased); brother, David Nolan Potts (deceased), wife Twilla Potts Farmers Branch, TX.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorials may be made to Whitney Volunteer Fire Department, Whitney, TX.