Charlie Hyrom Dantzler's Obituary
Charlie Hyrom Dantzler, age 74, of Leesburg, Florida passed away from complications due to Parkinson’s on May 26, 2026. He was born on October 26, 1951 in Charleston South Carolina to Bobby Hyrom Dantzler and Mary Delle Sowell Dantzler.
Charlie will be remembered as a hard working man who did all he could to help others. As part of his giving spirit he joined the Army in 1970 and served in the Vietnam War. That selflessness continued throughout his life, from caring for his family and friends to helping strangers in need, he was always willing to lend a hand. From an early age Charlie loved to tinker, leading him to pursue a career in mechanics. When he wasn’t at work tending to the engine of a Kenmore, he was working on a side job transmission repair in the kitchen, rebuilding a boat motor in the back yard and fixing his own vehicles or those of loved ones. Then he’d slip off to some fishing hole for hours on end with his children and grandchildren until the bait ran out. One of those famous fishing holes was the 301 bridge in Santee, South Carolina where his daughters Sheryl Galan and Lori Martinez, remember dusk turning to dawn while their father fished the night away. His grandsons remember fishing with their grandfather all over South Carolina, Alabama and Texas. His granddaughters fondly remember his sweet smell of tobacco as he gave them tickle kisses. During his down time he’d love to kick back and watch a good old western movie or NASCAR and eat a bowl of ice cream. Charlie was a man of few words, but one thing was always clear: he loved his family and he worked his whole life to ensure they were cared for.
He was preceded in death by his parents Bobby Hyrom Dantzler and Mary Delle Sowell Dantzler, his siblings David Dantzler and Bobbie Sue Dantzler Hughes. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Deborah Singletary Dantzler, his brother Tommy Dantzler, his Daughters Sheryl Galan and Lori Martinez, his grandchildren Robert Taylor, Charlie Dantzler, Natalia Martinez and Sandra Martinez and his great-grandchildren Seth, Devon, Troy Dale and Lilyanna.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Charlie’s name to https://www.dvnf.org/ or https://www.parkinson.org
What’s your fondest memory of Charlie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Charlie?
Share a story where Charlie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Charlie you’ll never forget.
How did Charlie make you smile?