Obituary of Daniel Lee Ellenburg

Daniel (Dan) Lee Ellenburg , 70, of Columbia, SC passed away at his home on January 24, 2023, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Dan was born in Greenville, SC on July 6, 1952, to James M. “Jim” and Marian Blackwell  Ellenburg of Anderson, SC.

Dan grew up in Anderson and graduated from T.L. Hanna High School in 1970. He received a full ROTC scholarship to the University of South Carolina and graduated from USC with a degree in accounting. He worked for the state of South Carolina and then for Bell South in marketing and corporate real estate. Dan retired from Bell South and studied again to begin a second career. He completed a Masters of Occupational Therapy from the Medical School of South Carolina and worked for Georgetown Hospital System (Tidelands Health) in Georgetown, SC until his retirement.

After retiring he and his wife, Libby, returned to the upstate they loved and lived in the mountains of South Carolina. Dan was an avid hiker, loved kayaking the mountain lakes, and sailing Lake Murray and the Charleston harbor, and traveling with Libby. His most meaningful travels were to Brazil. He made two trips to Brazil helping to build churches for the people in the small villages. He was grateful for the opportunity to serve by giving of himself for the good of others.

Dan loved time spent with family. He was a humble devoted family man. He was of honest and reliable character, a good listener, and always put others before himself. He actively helped care for his parents as they aged, and was still helping with his father during his time of illness. Dan and Libby were active members of Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Easley, SC before moving to Columbia, SC in 2022.

In addition to his mother listed above, he was preceded in death by two brothers James Douglas “Doug” Ellenburg and David Marion Ellenburg, and two nephews, Johnathan Ellenburg and Michael Ellenburg.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Elizabeth (Libby) Ellenburg, two daughters, Kristen (Patrick) McLean of Columbia, SC and Elizabeth Ellenburg of Waynesville, NC., five  grandchildren, Jordan (Kole) McKowen, Christopher Johnson, Kate Cook and Sara Cook and Patrick (Olivia) McLean. He was so proud of one great-grandson, Roan Daniel McKowen, who is named after him.

He is survived by his father listed above, age  98, of Anderson, one brother, Col. Ret. Dale (Mary Ellen) Ellenburg of Anderson SC and one sister, Debbie (Doug) Martin of Alpharetta, Georgia and sisters in-law Dana Ellenburg of Greer, SC and Patty Fisher of Cheraw, SC. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. 

There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Saluda Hill Baptist Church, 646 Ridge Springs Road, Cleveland, SC. The family will receive friends following the service.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Salvation Army or charity of your choice.