Obituaries

Daniel Lee Thompson, 52, of Ridgeway, Virginia, entered his eternal rest on Saturday, January 24, 2026. He was born in Reidsville, North Carolina, on November 17, 1973.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Eldred Emerson McDaniel and Dorothy Lee Hudson McDaniel, and his paternal grandparents, Willard “Bill” Howe Thompson and Othola Hicks Thompson.

He is survived by his mother, Donna Cheryl McDaniel Southall; wife, Shanan Collins Thompson; daughters, Kaitlyn Rose Thompson (Taylor Tanner) and Taylor Leigh Thompson; son, Michael Emerson Thompson; and extended family and friends.

Daniel was a man full of ambition. He knew the person he wanted to become and worked tirelessly to grow into that vision. He longed to be worthy of respect and to live a life others could look up to.

He worked for several years in Warehouse & Logistics Management. He strived to run efficient and “well oiled” warehouses while still being a fair and likable boss. Some of his favorite pastimes included fishing, kayaking, and teaching mixed martial arts. Daniel enjoyed working with his hands, particularly woodworking projects. He was a very talented artist and extremely creative, a trait he shared with his three children. He was also an avid Notre Dame football fan.

He was a lover of knowledge, especially Scripture, and carried a deep desire to serve God. He dreamed of becoming a pastor and devoted many years as an assistant pastor, seeking to make a meaningful and lasting impact by helping others. He found refuge and comfort at Mercy Crossing and took pride in playing the bass guitar during worship. We are thankful that he found mercy and grace in the presence of his Savior.

Behind closed doors, however, Daniel was quietly fighting his own battles. Alcoholism stole much of his potential and clouded the future he worked so hard to build. In sharing this truth, his loved ones hope to honor his life fully and raise awareness of a disease that affects countless families and remains deeply misunderstood. Daniel was more than his struggles—he was a devoted husband, a father, a loyal friend, and someone who brought light into the lives of those who knew him.

Anyone who knew Daniel understood how deeply he loved Shanan. He prayed for her to be his partner for life, and in many ways, she was. Though their journey became complicated, he remained devoted to her for 33 years. Time and again, he fought for sobriety in hopes of saving their marriage. The shadow that alcohol casts is difficult to escape, and despite sincere efforts, he was never fully able to leave it behind. Over time, that shadow grew, reaching into every part of his life. It affected not only his marriage, but also his relationships with his children, family, and friends. Mistakes were made. Pain was caused. He lost connections that meant the world to him. More than anything, he wanted to choose his loved ones over alcohol—but the grip of addiction was stronger than his will alone.

In life, this was something Daniel felt deep shame about and tried to hide for as long as he could. We share this now not to judge or dishonor him, but to honor his truth. We hope that in

doing so, his story may serve one final purpose: to help others recognize the devastating path of addiction and seek help before it is too late. Alcoholism leads only to loss and heartbreak, and Daniel’s life stands as both a warning and a testament to the importance of compassion, understanding, and support.

Above all, he should be remembered not only for his struggles, but for his faith, his love for his family, his desire to serve, and the good he carried within him. He will be remembered for his kindness, his laughter, and the way he showed up for those he loved. His memory will live on in the stories shared, the lessons learned, and the love he leaves behind.

Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight… and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Services will be held at a later date. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support shown during their time of grief.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.