“Knight of Love” sparked one enchanted evening when Danny and Lyne attended a wedding. Danny, on a first date with another girl, and Lyne, on a first date with one of Danny’s friends, they had no way of knowing they would find true love with one another. Danny was instantly smitten by Lyne’s charisma and charm, and said he knew that night he was going to marry that girl. After chatting with his friend, Danny began courting Lyne. Lyne was a college student at, what is now, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and Danny was scheduled for imminent departure to Air Force basic training. These two knew they had limited time together, but also knew that what they had was something really special. In order for this budding romance to blossom, they decided to tie the knot. Only six weeks to the day from their first encounter, they were wed.  

Danny successfully graduated Air Force basic training and was assigned to Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Of course, Lyne willingly and readily went with him, working part-time jobs and continuing classes at a local community college. Danny’s dream from childhood was to become an air traffic controller. After a year of intensive training, the day before his program graduation; he was told that he had a serious kidney disease and would be immediately discharged from the Air Force. Danny and Lyne fought this directive, tooth and nail, but ultimately, they had to start making alternate arrangements for their future.

Danny, who outwardly appeared to be the epitome of perfect health, was told that he would lose his kidneys within a decade and would battle serious lifelong health complications. An Air Force doctor strongly recommended they move to a major city with comprehensive healthcare options because medical advances in the area of transplantation were rapidly changing. With the right team of physicians, his life may be saved. Danny and Lyne moved to Paris, Texas, where Danny was raised. At this point, Lyne was ready to start a family and after just a few short years, the couple had their first baby, John, and then their second son, Danny, following closely behind.    

Danny and Lyne decided to follow that doctor’s advice about getting closer to the big city and moved to Red Oak.  They would be much closer to the substantial medical access of Dallas, but also near Lyne’s parents in DeSoto. Just as the Air Force doctor had grimly predicted, ten years after getting married, Danny’s kidneys began to fail. Lyne stuck by Danny’s side, encouraging him through the complex testing process involved in possible kidney transplantation. Lyne began going back to college while working full-time, and for an arduous period, became the family’s sole breadwinner for almost a year. All the while, she encouraged and cared for her sick husband and two small boys. 

In an unfortunate turn of events, Lyne discovered that she had developed Lupus, an autoimmune disease. Despite her diagnosis, she persevered, and in her own words, “doing what she had to do to make it.” In Lyne’s eyes, her medical issues were inconsequential; she was a natural-born caregiver, and made it her life’s mission to go above and beyond and care for her ailing husband. 

With both Danny and Lyne facing serious health concerns, they were serendipitously blessed with their daughter, Heaven Leigh, ten years after the birth of their first child. The family had moved to Lancaster, where both John and Danny eventually graduated. While the children were in school, Lyne poured herself into serving the community, leading multiple civic efforts and earning a Lifetime Achievement award in the PTA. Danny volunteered his free time to read to children at school and both Danny and Lyne supported their children in every one of their extracurricular endeavors.  

Danny and Lyne were the ultimate encouragers! They continuously pushed their children to go further and do more. They offered support and encouragement to every person they encountered. 

Upon their death, their funerals were attended by doctors, lawyers, elected officials, barbers, servers, and neighbors. They were friends to all and, literally, never met a stranger! The abundance and outpouring of stories shared at their funerals reinforced the phenomenal impact that the family knew the two had on so many. 

And with your support, their many good deeds will live on perpetually through the mission of Manna House!

Their marriage, which many felt was hasty and rushed, flourished until the day of Danny’s death, some 46+ years later. However, their love did not die that day. It lives on and will eternally survive through their three children and eight grandchildren. 

The “Knight of Love” is a small symbol of the undying love that Danny and Lyne had for each other and others, and an ongoing commemoration dedicated to supporting nonprofits and organizations that devote to helping those most in need.  

Good people will be remembered as a blessing, but the wicked will soon be forgotten.

Proverbs 10:7