Mr. Daniel Brian Gola, age 76, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021, at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, NC. Dan was born on September 27, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN.

He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged and awarded a National Defense Service Medal after tours in Vietnam. Professionally, he worked as a Marketing Director before retiring and moving to NC and as cartoonist of "Claude & Ernie", a recurring strip he created in 1992 for the Echo Journal in Pequot Lakes, MN. The cartoon ran until December 2020 when he was forced, unfortunately, to lay down the pen due to health reasons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Gola, Sr. and Astrid Peterson Gola; two sisters, Jeannie Fisher and Louise Myers; and a brother, George Gola, Jr.

Dan is survived by his wife, Barbara Cothran Gola of the home; a stepdaughter, Tara Prezimirski and husband Steve of Summerville, SC; a granddaughter, Addison Prezimirski who is attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA; and several nieces and nephews and a host of special friends.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a graveside service will take place at a later date and will be announced at that time.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to: The American Legion - Ben Krueger Post 49, PO Box 238, Pequot Lakes, MN, 56472, Robeson County Humane Society, PO Box 3609, Lumberton, NC  28359 (rchsociety.weebly.com).