Daniel Sanders Obituary

Daniel Simpson Sanders, just days shy of his 85th birthday, passed away peacefully at his home in Greenville, South Carolina surrounded by his family. He was born on August 20, 1939, in Cartersville, Georgia to Ralph Augustus Sanders and Mildred Idell Simpson. He was raised in Elberton, Georgia and graduated from Elberton High School. He married Emilyn Rebecca Childs on June 9, 1962, in Greenville, South Carolina.

Dan graduated from the University of South Carolina magna cum laude with a degree in Engineering. He joined Exxon in 1962 and retired as President of Exxon Chemical in 2004. He was awarded the Chemical Industry Medal (2005) for his contributions to applied chemistry. Dan served on the Board of Directors for Celanese Chemical Corporation, Ecolab Corporation, Nalco Company, Arch Chemical Company, Milliken and Company, Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, and the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. He also served on the Board of Trustees at Furman University. Dan also was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of South Carolina (2004) and the Native Citizen Award in Elberton (1999).

Dan is survived by Emilyn, his beloved wife of 62 years; his sons, Daniel S. Sanders, Jr. (Suzanne), John L. Sanders (Suzanne); five grandchildren, Daniel (Amanda), Will (Maddie), Jack, Hailey, and Mac; two great grandchildren, William and Ellen Sanders; his sister, Patricia (Kenneth) and brother, Philip (Johnnie) of Elberton, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Dan requested that memorials be made in the form of donations to Furman University and/or the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities as he spent his life focused on the value of education.

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