Lawrence Raymond Daiss Jr.

GUYTON– Lawrence Raymond Daiss Jr., 74, died at his home Sunday Feb.13, 2011.
He was born in Savannah, Dec. 6, 1936, to the late Estelle Schuman and Lawrence Raymond Daiss Sr.
A graduate of Commercial High School 1955, Raymond was recognized by the Savannah Quarterback Club during his junior year and lettered in football in 1953, 1954 and 1955, during the M. A. Spellman era. He was an active member of the Cobra Club and the Class of 1955 reunion committee, a devoted member of Bull Street Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, greeter and outreach leader of the Ralph Thomas Sunday school class.
He opened Daiss Service Center in Savannah in 1955, where he offered full-service automobile maintenance and repairs until his retirement in 2005, was a AAA Preferred Service Contractor for the last 38 years, and the past owner of the Antique Mall, and Tic Toc Museum, on Congress Street in Savannah. In 2003 and 2004, he was listed as a member the Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.
He was honorably discharged from the 117th Georgia Air National Guard. . He received the 2003 National Leadership Award from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
He was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, of which he was president of the local chapter from January 1988-January 1999. He was a member of the Rolls Royce Owner’s Club where he taught classes on Silver Clouds, and he was also a judge at the Concours d’Elegance of Hilton Head S.C., was a member the National Street Rod Association, Vintage Chevrolet Club and the Cushman Club of America, a founding member of Southeast Georgia Timing Association where he sanctioned and won numerous drag races. He belonged to the Rolls Royce Rebel Region and the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Club, was an avid antique and classic car collector. Raymond received numerous accolades and trophies for his car collection, and also enjoyed collecting antiques, especially clocks, Mickey Mouse memorabilia and music boxes, among other things. He will be remembered as a can-do person and a self-made man who always helped others.
He was preceded in death his first wife and mother of his children Patricia Collins Daiss.
He is survived by his wife Diane Gross Daiss, his three children, Lawrence Raymond “Bubba” Daiss, III (Traci), Victoria Webber (Chuck), Richard Daiss Sr. (Donna). His six grandchildren, Christopher and Calli Arnold, Charlie and Jonathan Webber, and Richard Daiss, Jr., Travis Daiss. He is also survived by his brother Kenny Daiss, his dear friend Roy “Jack” Jackson and his loving canine companion Mickey Mouse Daiss.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 9:00 PM, Friday, February 18, 2011 at Bonaventure Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 19, 2011, at Bull Street Baptist Church with Rev. Earnie Pirkle officiating. Pallbearers will be Alvin Carter, Nick Mastopoulos, Nicky Sanders, Lee McEwen, Lloyd Hodges and Jimmie Hart. Honorary pallbearers will be the Commercial High School Class of 1955, the Ralph Thomas Sunday school class and the deacons of Bull Street Baptist Church. Please drive your classic car or hot rod to the service in remembrance of Raymond.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah,Ga 31406 or the American Cancer Society, 6600 Abercorn Street, Suite 206, Savannah, GA. 31405-5834.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Brown and staff, Dr. Barry Lusky and staff, the staff of the oncology unit of Memorial Heath University Medical Center and the staff of Hospice Savannah for the loving care they provided during Raymond’s illness. Please visit our Tribute Wall to share your thoughts with Lawrence Raymond Daiss, Jr., Family.
Bonaventure Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 335-8506