Daniel L. O'Steen III

Yesterday afternoon, Monday, February 8, Daniel L. O’Steen III, better known as “Dan”, “Big Dan”, “Pete” or most affectionately known as “Papa Dan” to his grandchildren and all of their friends, entered into the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ follow an extended battle against Covid-19.

Dan was a lifelong resident of Coffee County. He was well known for being an exemplary baseball and basketball player for the Coffee County Comets. After high school, he attended South Georgia College for one year, but decided he would join his father full time on the family farm. On August 2, 1967, he married Susan (Davis) O’Steen, and they began making their life thereafter on the family farm. He was well known in the farming community, and he served on several agricultural related boards as a fierce advocate for all farmers.

Dan always enjoyed finding a way to bring laughter to the conversation. Some of his favorite pastimes included: he and Susan eating breakfast in town with their McDonald’s/Hardee’s breakfast club, telling others about Jesus, spending time with family and friends, going to church, hunting, serenading us with his rendition of, “Oh Lord, it’s GREAT to be an O’Steen,” watching and cheering on the CCA Patriots, and loading his truck down with all of Susan’s favorite things to head to their farm in Iowa. He and Susan loved to sit and watch the deer walk around the fields surrounding their cabin. Without a doubt, his favorite thing to do was simply be with Susan.

If you knew Dan, then you HAD to know their was a right way, the wrong way, or, most importantly, “Dan’s way” to do things. He often gave advice, whether it was solicited, or not. He was a hard worker, and in turn taught his children and many other children how to work hard in the greatest arena available at the time; the tobacco patch. There’s no telling how many chickens Susan fried during those long summer months, and there’s also no telling how many children his hot, sticky tobacco patch inspired to go to college, either.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, D.L. “Coot” and Narciss (Batten) O’Steen; sister, Linda O’Steen Carter; grandson, Levi Cason Rudd, and recently his daughter just 45 days earlier, Gail O’Steen Rudd, also from Covid-19.

Dan is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 53 years, Susan (Davis) O’Steen and three children; daughter, Deanna O’Steen Morgan of Levittown, PA; Danny O’Steen (Angie) of Ambrose, GA, Ted O’Steen (Jill) also of Ambrose, GA, son-in-law, Chris Rudd of Douglas, GA and 8 grandchildren, Nick, Eli (Jenna), Allie, Bailey, Caitlin, Abbie, London, and Luke. Dan is also survived by two sisters; Barbara Kirkland (Larry) of Columbia, S.C., Helen Lee (Wayne) of Lake Park, GA, sister-in-law, LaReeta Dickerson Carter of Homerville; several nieces and nephews, and many O’Steen/Batten cousins he loved so dearly.

Our family would like to extend special thanks to the employees of Vista Park Health and Rehabilitation Center, as well as the employees of CRMC for the extraordinary care given to Dan and our family throughout his battle with this horrible virus. Without question, he received the very best care by everyone who entered into his room.

The family will receive friends Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 10am until 11am at Douglas Christian Fellowship.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11:00am at Douglas Christian Fellowship with Rev. Leroy Spivey and Rev. Heath Wingard officiating. Angie O’Steen will give a eulogy. Interment will be private at Hall Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Susan asks that donations be made to: CCA Athletic Department (basketball program) 1548 GA Highway 158 West, Douglas, GA 31535 c/o Dan O’Steen Memorial Fund.

Due to COVID-19, Sims Funeral Home Inc. will require all guests and attendees to wear appropriate medical grade face-masks and maintain social distancing at all times while visiting our facility, and highly encouraged at our services outside of our facility.  Masks are not provided.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.simsfuneralhome.org.

Sims Funeral Home, Douglas, GA is in charge of arrangements.