Daniel Paul Barner, 72 of Newport News, VA, died on Thursday, December 31, 2020.  Dan was born in Roaring Spring, PA, on September 30, 1948, to the late Reverend Fern and Naomi (Herrold) Barner. He married Jacquie Guillard, on August 16 ^,1968.

Dan was a proud graduate of Philipsburg Osceola High School in 1967. He received a Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University in 1972 and a Master of Education from William & Mary in 1982. He went on to acquire thirty (30) additional hours towards a doctorate degree. His first teaching and coaching job was in 1972 with the Clearfield School District in PA, where he taught Health and PE for all grades and coached football, basketball, and baseball at the varsity level.

In 1980 the family transitioned to Williamsburg, VA, where he coached basketball at William & Mary until 1987. In August, 1982, while still coaching college basketball, Dan accepted a position in Williamsburg-James City County Schools at James Blair Middle School, where he taught Health and PE and served as the Athletic Director. In 1997, he became Athletic Director at Lafayette High School, where he coordinated the athletic and academic activities. Dan served in this position with passion and excellence for 19 years before retiring in June 2016.

Dan had a positive impact not only on all the athletic programs but also on the academic activities of Lafayette High School.  He believed he had the good fortune of working with so many amazing people at Lafayette and across the Bay Rivers district and the Virginia High School League. Working with the staff, coaches, students, families, and community made his job fulfilling and joyful.

He created so many firsts for the athletic and academic activities at Lafayette High School. He originated Lafayette’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. He thought it important to recognize former student athletes and staff who made Lafayette “the best in the Commonwealth of Virginia”. It was also important to Dan that students excel not only athletically but also academically. He, along with the support of a parent, created the first tutoring program in which student athletes were supporting their fellow peers. Dan also believed in recognizing students for their accomplishments on and off the field. He would make every athletic ceremony or banquet special for the students and their families. At the end of each school year, Dan organized a special banquet for every senior student athlete. His excitement in recognizing the accomplishments of these young adults as they transitioned to the world of higher education, military, or work was so obvious. Dan loved Lafayette High School, but more importantly, he was always about the students.

His expectation for excellence, performing to the best of one’s ability both in the classroom and on the field, was known to all who learned from or worked with Dan. Under his leadership, Lafayette High School was awarded the distinguished Wells Fargo Cup – The Claudia Dodson Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award – in 2004, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2015 by the Virginia High School League. This award is presented to select schools that achieve the best overall record in VHSL state-level competitions and sportsmanship.

Dan loved his family and appreciated every moment they were together. He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife of 52 years, Jacquie Barner; his beloved children, a daughter, Jessica May (Chris) of Flower Mound, Texas, and a son, Peter Barner (Heather) of Forest Hills, New York; his grandchildren, Kate Marlowe (Jesse), Matthew Daniel May (Sabrina), Jon Robert May, Steven Guillard May and Max Barner; two great grand-sons, Jason James Marlowe and Daniel Dean Marlowe; one brother, David Barner (Carol) of Blair, Nebraska; Jim Hoy, raised as a member of the family, of Pittsburgh, PA; and a host of other relatives, friends, and colleagues. Dan had a lively presence and left an imprint on everyone who came in contact with him.

ln lieu of flowers, the family ask contributions to be sent to the Dan Barner Integrity Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 462 Lightfoot, VA 23090.