Daniel Follis Obituary

Daniel Scobie Follis of Grosse Pointe - Beloved husband, father and grandfather, loyal friend, mentor, businessman, golfer, sailor, music lover, squash champion, and pool shark, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 1st at the age of 86. Born in 1937 in Detroit to Grace Scobie and Dr. Wesley Follis, he attended Grosse Pointe South High School (then referred to as "The High") and was a proud member of the 1954 high school football state championship team. Dan accepted a basketball scholarship to The University of Colorado, where after playing one season returned home to care for his parents. Upon returning to Michigan, he played three seasons for Duffy Daugherty on Michigan State University's football team. After earning his degree from MSU, the Philadelphia Eagles invited him to camp to play in the NFL, but Dan chose the stock brokerage business which began a long career in investing, radio station sales and ownerships, and managing The Buick Open PGA golf tournament. His favorite gig, though, was as the color commentator of Michigan State Football in the 80's, especially calling the 1988 Rose Bowl game which the Spartans won. Dan loved Michigan State and was a proud member of Sigma Chi, but he reluctantly sent all three of his children to the University of Michigan, often stating that his kids couldn't get in to State. Go Green!In 1964, Dan married Mary Patricia Hoker "Pat", who had three wonderful children from a prior marriage; Shelley, Martin and Tamara. In 1966, Dan and Pat gave birth to their only child, Daniel Scobie Follis, Jr. After a long illness, Pat died in 1977. In 1979 Dan found the next love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Stein "Libby" and the two started a long and wonderful life together. They brought two beautiful children into the world - Annie and Michael. Dan's family meant everything to him. He always expressed how grateful he was to have such a loving wife, healthy and happy children, and a wonderful extended family. Dan was well read (as long as the subject was World War II and Winston Churchill), and he loved his little red MG. He had a magnetic personality, his laughter filled the room, and he had a huge heart. He was a member of the Detroit Golf Club, the Country Club of Detroit, and was a member of the Detroit Athletic Club for 55 years. Dan is survived by his wife of 44 years, Libby, their children Daniel (Maureen), Anne Follis Durkin (Matthew), Michael (Hillary), and 7 well loved grandsons Daniel III, Bailey, Jack, Wesley, Benjamin, Thomas and Charlie, and Dan's sister Margot Klein. Dan was predeceased by his parents and his brother Tom. A memorial mass in Dan's honor will be celebrated at 10:00 a. m. on Saturday, October 21st in the Beaumont Grosse Pointe Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to:Beaumont Grosse Pointe Chapel Fund468 Cadieux RoadGrosse Pointe, MI 48230This fund provides for the needs of the chapel, supports nursing, Chaplain training and certification and has created hospice suites for those at the end of life.