Daniel Edward Luther

Daniel Edward Luther, age 66, Nicholasville, Kentucky, died Friday, February 20, 2026, at the home he shared with his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.

Born January 10, 1960, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Patricia Worthy Luther and Edward Luther, he graduated from Hillwood High School in Nashville in 1978. He attended Birmingham Southern University and Vanderbilt University before graduating with a degree from Tusculum University. Dan had a variety of jobs throughout his life, but that degree from Tusculum led to the job he was meant to have: a park ranger and historic interpreter with the National Park Service at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, Tennessee. He delighted in leading tours through the former president’s home, sometimes in period costume—once he even threw out the first pitch at a minor league baseball game while in costume.

Dan loved to read and watch sports (though in recent years the Tennessee Titans tried his patience). But he was happiest when he was performing. He was named to Tennessee’s All-State Chorus his senior year in high school and was part of the youth choir at Belle Meade United Methodist Church throughout high school. He was a member of the Appalachian Equality Chorus in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Lexington Singers in Lexington, Kentucky. He acted in a plethora of productions, ranging from “You Can’t Take it With You” to “Dracula.” He especially enjoyed musicals.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his husband, James-Ben Stockton; his cousins Doug Townes, Steve Luther, and Jay Smith; uncles Jerry Luther, Norman Luther, and Hubert Townes. He is survived by his sister, Meg Smath; brother-in-law Richard Smath; nephew Joey Smath; aunts Peggy Townes, Jan Luther Wendell, and Edyth Ann Worthy; and cousins Candace Luther, Bob Luther, John Luther, Edyie Stallings, Elaine Townes Jay, James Daniel Haas, LeeAnn Bruun, Crystal McGee, Rosemary Quillen, Jay Hines, Chris Babb, Betsy Kennedy, Julie Carpenter, and JoAnn Smith.

A memorial service will be held at Belle Meade United Methodist Church, 121 Davidson Road, Nashville, Tennessee, 37205, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 2 p.m. Visitation will take place at the church from 1 p.m. until the service. Memorials are suggested to Belle Meade United Methodist Church or Vanderbilt University, Gift and Donor Services, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727.

Betts & West Funeral Home is honored to serve the Luther family. Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com.