Sun Mar 02 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Local Publisher and Community Leader, Dan Branyon, Passes Away at 70

**WARE SHOALS, SC** – Stephen Daniel “Dan” Branyon, a prominent figure in the Ware Shoals community and founder of *The Observer* newspaper, passed away on March 1st, 2025, after a five-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was 70.

Branyon, a 1972 graduate of Ware Shoals High School and a 1976 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Journalism, began his career as Sports Editor of the *Laurens County Advertiser*. He later founded *The Observer*, which he published for 39 years. Beyond his journalistic endeavors, Branyon dedicated his life to community service. He served over 24 years as Director of Public Relations at Self Regional Healthcare and held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the Ware Shoals Community Foundation (where he served as president) and the Ware Shoals Lions Club. He was also a deacon at Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, playing a key role in fundraising for a major church renovation project. His involvement extended to the Ware Shoals Schools Hall of Fame Committee and 27 years on the Board of Directors of Piedmont Rural Telephone Cooperative, 22 of those as President.

Branyon is survived by his wife of 43 years, Faye Cooper Branyon; his son, Caleb Daniel “Cal” Branyon; his daughter, Betty Ann Branyon McCullough; and six grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, March 2nd, at 3 p.m. at Ware Shoals First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ware Shoals First Baptist Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Ware Shoals First Baptist Church.

**(The weather forecast was removed as it is unrelated to the obituary.)**

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