WAYCROSS — Chief James Daniel “Danny” Christmas, 52, passed away suddenly Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross.

He was born in Jacksonville, Fla., to James Thelbert “Jimmy” Christmas, Jr. and Betty Ann David Christmas. Christmas was curr ently employed as the Chief of the Ware County Schools Police Department.

He formerly had been employed with the Ware County Sheriff’s Department and the Corrections Corporation of America.

Christmas was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, J.T. and Kathryn Christmas; maternal grandmother, Jewel Cameron; and a special mother-in-law, Linda Lightsey.

He is survived by his wife, Angel Christmas of Blackshear; four children, Amber Slagle (Logan), Jamie Christmas, Shilon Christmas and Jett Christmas; stepdaughters, Morgan Sanders and Macie Matthews; grandchildren, Hudson Slagle, Ellie Mae Slagle and Emmy Jo Sanders; his parents, Jimmy and Betty Christmas; a sister, Joy Christmas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Brenda Tackett; brother-in-law, Michael “Bub” Tackett; sister-inlaw, Amy Tackett; four nephews, Tim Varnadore (Ciara), Colton Tackett, Cason Tackett and Elijah Tackett; and a niece, Leah Varnadore (John).

A funeral service was held Saturday, March 15 at the Ware County Performing Arts Center. Burial followed in Greenlawn Cemetery.

The Ware County Schools Police Department, Ware County Sheriff's Department, and any other first responders he worked alongside through the years served as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Ware County Board of Education ℅ SRO Scholarship Fund, 1301 Bailey Street, Waycross, 31501.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.c om.

Music Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.