News Obituary Listing

Daniel "Danny" Whisnant, 51, of Marietta died Jan. 30. The body was cremated. Memorial service, 4 p.m. Saturday, Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home. Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on February 10, 2011

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The body of a Cobb County man was found Sunday along a highway in rural southwestern New Mexico.

Daniel Calvin Whisnant, 52, apparently died from exposure to the elements, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. Whisnant, who lived in Mableton, apparently ran out of gas on Jan. 10 or 11 and was given a ride. But his car was found abandoned on Jan. 12, police said.

Whisnant's family members told New Mexico police they had not heard from him, and a search was launched over the weekend. Whisnant's body was found by a dog team just before noon Sunday, according to the report.

Whisnant reportedly was unhappy, but it is unclear why he was in New Mexico. An official cause of death has not been released.

Whisnant was not reported missing to Cobb County police, Officer Joseph Hernandez said.

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Daniel "Danny" Whisnant

Daniel "Danny" Calvin Whisnant, 51, electrician, musician, radio host, and loving friend, brother and uncle passed away January 30, 2011. Danny was born in Jackson, Mississippi on February 6, 1959 as the third child and only son of Dan and Florine Whisnant. He grew up along with five sisters in Pearl, Mississippi. As a young man Danny got his start in electronics by apprenticing with his father who was a master electrician. This eventually led to him becoming a master electrician himself in his early adult years. He went on to own and operate his own electrical company in Jackson, Mississippi . Danny's passion for electronics also carried over into his personal life. As a child he was fascinated with shortwave radios, vacuum tubes, diodes and antennas. As a young adult he developed a deep love of music that grew into learning to play the guitar and other musical instruments. As an adult his strong love of music continued to grow, prompting him to pursue a career in the radio broadcasting industry. While managing his electrical business he also worked part time as a radio announcer for radio stations WJXN and WHJT. Later he worked part time as an assistant engineer for MISS 103/WJDX in Jackson, MS. His rich, smooth radio voice made you say, "Is that Danny?" even by those who knew him. He loved to write and record songs, dreaming one day of owning his own music studio. In the mid 90s he moved to Atlanta and soon after decided to travel the country. He was fascinated with the West, with its mountains and open spaces. For over a year he traveled throughout Arizona and New Mexico. He saw beautiful scenery and met wonderful people. He then returned back home and showed great love for his then elderly parents by assisting them in anyway necessary. Without complaint he would drive them to doctor appointments, the grocery store or even take them to visit with their friends. Around 1995 he started working for GaRRS (Georgia Radio Reading Service), a radio broadcast that serves the blind. After several years he was promoted to Production Manager. His varied tasks included working with volunteer readers, traveling to remote locations to set up broadcasts, and repairing technical problems. He even spearheaded printing a Braille listeners program that was mailed out monthly so the blind listeners could know what was scheduled to be aired. He loved his work so much that he told one sister, "Do you know how wonderful it is to want to go to work every day?" He helped to raise donations for GaRRS on his own time and would always turn on his specially equipped radio from home before going out or to bed to make sure "all was well at GaRRS." He loved the people there so much and the work that he won several awards for GaRRS, even flying out to California to accept one of them. Danny will be terribly missed by all who knew him. He truly was a special person who loved God, his family and friends. Most of all, Danny loved to laugh. He leaves 5 sisters, Mary Lola Scott, Elaine Southerland, Cindy Mullins, Julie Bragg and Janie West; 6 nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles and many cousins. In lieu of flowers please donate to GaRRS (www.garrs.net) his work and passion. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Chapel in Marietta. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta, Georgia in charge of the arrangements.