WILMINGTON — Dane McPhail Waggett, 46, roller-boogied through the pearly gates of heaven Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, surrounded by a small group of the many lives he touched during his time on earth.
Dane was born March 25, 1970, and spent his early years in the Wilmington area, where he attended school and graduated from John T. Hoggard High School in 1989.
Most recently, Dane was a member of the Wilmington Fire Department, where he served alongside his fire department family at Station Number 9 in Landfall. Prior to his meaningful work with WFD, Dane pursued a number of successful ventures that spoke to his passions and personality, letting no grass grow under his feet as he confidently pursued ideas and dreams that were uniquely his.
His proudest accomplishment was as a soul mate and husband to wife, Natalie, and phenomenal dad to their son, Fisher. Dane was a constant presence in the life of his family, sharing his enthusiasm for sports as a coach to many of his son’s athletic teams. Dane loved God and took every chance he could to tell people how his life had been changed by God’s grace.
From an early age, Dane was a lover of all things outdoor and spent as much time as possible in pursuit of an active life. He leaves many fish tales and deer stands behind as a remembrance of the days he enjoyed in his favorite outdoor places with a host of wonderful friends.
Finally, a large and loving family will be left to honor Dane’s legacy. Survivors include his father and second mother, Warren and Gwen Waggett; mother, Donna Plunkett Waggett; brothers, Chris, and his wife, Hulya, Michael, Jonathan, and Michael Griffin, and his wife, Suzanne; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Frieda, and Milton Utley; nephew, Connor; and two nieces, Madison and Davis.
A celebration of Dane’s life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Lifepoint Church 3534 S. College Road, Wilmington. The family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. prior to the service. Casual attire is acceptable. The family will honor Dane’s wishes for a burial at sea later in the week.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Dane Waggett Legacy and Fisher Waggett Scholarship Fund.