LEXINGTON — The president of Davidson-Davie Community College died on Tuesday after battling esophageal cancer for several months.

Darrin Hartness, 54, became the fourth president of Davidson County Community College, which later was renamed Davidson-Davie Community College, in January 2019.

Prior to serving as college president, he served for 28 years in K-12 public education, including 11 years as superintendent of Davie County Schools and Mount Airy City Schools. His background also includes time spent as a teacher, principal, chief technology officer, assistant superintendent, and adjunct professor.

Dr. Hartness was a member of the NCHSAA Board of Directors, from 2015-2019.  He chaired the sub-committee that led to the approval of a policy that allows homeschooled students to participate in NCHSAA athletics.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 15, at Center Grove Baptist Church in Clemmons. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church lobby.

In lieu of food and flowers, please consider memorials to Davidson-Davie Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1287, Lexington, NC 27293; please memo either Hartness Excellence Endowment or Hartness Student Success Scholarship; or Davie Community Foundation, P.O. Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028, please memo either Ignite Davie or Darrin and Lisa Hartness Family Scholarship Fund; or Trellis Supportive Care, 377 Hospital Street, Ste. 103, Mocksville, NC 27028<

Online condolences www.lambertfuneralhomenc.com