Herman Day

Karl Day (Herman E. Day, Jr.), 82, of Greer, SC passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018. Born in Flint, Michigan, Karl was the son of Herman Eugene and Florence Eva Ford Day. In 1957 he graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point with a B.S. in Engineering and entered active duty as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was an Army Ranger, Green Beret, and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division as well as the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany. After completing his Masters in Engineering at Michigan State University, Karl returned to West Point where he taught both Ordnance courses as well as two electives to senior cadets. He was the only officer in the department qualified to do so. Courses included propulsion, ballistics, automotive, and materials engineering. In 1967-68 Karl commanded a Logistical Support Group in the Mekong Delta, Republic of Vietnam, in support of the 9th Infantry Division “Riverine Force” and was there during the Tet Offensive in January 1968. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Karl rose to the rank of Major and was honorably discharged from the Army in July, 1968. Karl moved to Atlanta, GA and, having earned his private pilot's license while teaching at West Point, he began his 22 year career selling airplanes. He started with private planes such as Learjets, Beechcraft Bonanzas, King Airs, and later Piaggio Avanti. He also marketed commercial airplanes for manufacturers such as Lockheed, Airbus, Fokker Aircraft Corp and British Aerospace. After that, he spent the last 9 years of his career working as a writer for The Family Research Council (FRC) in Washington, DC where he was the editor for their Washington Watch Newsletter. The last day that Karl worked at the FRC office was on 9/11/2001. After retiring to Greenville, SC Karl continued to fervently write on behalf of traditional conservative causes and values. Karl had a passion for flying and he raced sports cars in Germany and in the US. He also loved motorcycling, boating, jumping out of airplanes, good books, classical music, and traveling the world. Karl was a lifetime member of the NRA and during his DC years he was an NRA instructor. He always participated in the annual March for Life, and every year he rode his Honda S-2000 motorcycle in the Rolling Thunder Rally. Just four days before he passed away, Karl shared how he came to faith in Christ as a 9 year old child and then later rededicated his life at age 49 at a men's retreat in Darien, CT in 1984. He shared his testimony of faith with church friends who had gathered that evening for fellowship in the home of one of their small group leaders.
Karl Day lived a very full life until his health began to fail a few years ago due to coronary artery disease. Because he had two engineering degrees, and because his failing health never deterred him, things remained broken in his household for only about 20 minutes. Until very recently Karl continued to go to the gym three times per week, and participated in a weekly Christian men’s fellowship at a local church. Karl loved the Lord, and he loved his family and his friends. He would willingly lay down his life trying to protect them and he would have done the same trying to save even a stranger. Karl Day was an amazing man who lived a very full life. Although his physical heart gave out, his brave heart will live on in our memories of this remarkable man. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Samantha. Four children: Laura Day Calk (Dr. Tom Calk) of Atlanta, GA; Michael Day of Columbus, GA; Nancy Day Gallun (Greg Gallun) of Santa Ynez, CA; and Matthew Day of Simpsonville, SC; his brother, Thomas Day (Julia) of Buford, GA and his first wife and lifelong friend Molly Day Rose (Dave) of Columbus, GA. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Everarde, Adrienne, and Freddie Calk; Allison and Alexander Day; Conrad and Austin Gallun, as well as many extended family members and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Taylors First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 12:45 to 1:45 prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Taylors First Baptist Church – 200 W Main St, Taylors, SC 29687 or to the Greenville Chorale- PO Box 16851, Greenville, SC 29606.