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Danny Lee Murray November 29, 1949 - December 17, 2018

Danny Lee Murray

Nov. 1949 ~ Dec. 2018

Danny was born in Madera to Mildred and Norman Murray and passed away at the age of 69 after a long battle with cancer. He was a lifelong resident of Turlock and graduated from Turlock High School. Danny earned his Bachelor’s degree from Fresno State University and later his electrical workers credential from Cal Poly and UC Berkeley. Danny spent his entire working career as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union. Among his many roles with the IBEW, he worked as a training director for apprentice electricians. He also worked for Metropolitan Electric installing cell towers in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the age of 53, Danny was diagnosed with cancer and retired.

After retirement, Danny remained active by helping with public service announcements through commercials with Sutter Health and also helped bring awareness to cancer prevention through Memorial Hospital’s complimentary therapies programs. He wrote poetry, contributed to anthologies and created art which were displayed in various locations including the Mistlin Art Gallery.

Danny started Turlock Uke Jamz in 2011 at Carnegie Arts Center and was the leader of Turlock Sunshine Strummers Ukulele Group also at Carnegie Arts Center. He had many hobbies including fly fishing, fly tying, and photography. As a teenager he was active in the Boy Scouts (Troop 21). Danny was also a master craftsman and avid San Francisco Giants fan.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather; his grandkids were so important to him.

He is survived by his wife Kathy Murray; children Josh (Leah) Davenport, Sadra (Cris) Strode and Allison (Luis) Arrizon; grandchildren Tristen Hallam, Amayah Hallam, Lucas Arrizon, Landon Arrizon, Aiden Arrizon, Jacob Davenport and Danny Davenport. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Danny’s life will be held at Allen Mortuary on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 1:00p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Carnegie Arts Center or Memorial Hospital Complimentary Therapies.

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Condolences(14)

  1. Sandie Sing and Ken Shaw says

    Dear Dan,

    We are going to miss your voice, your leadership with TSS and your humor with the guys in Turlock Uke Jamz. Thank you for creating the two ukulele projects in this town. You certainly put Turlock on the map.

    Thanks for your energy and time spent with us. You and Kathy were saints in the ukulele world. Always caring and making sure people would enjoy making music. Kathy and you would reassure the beginners that they could do it.
    You educated us with your philosophy of ukulele music making, and you always wanted us to practice, practice, practice. Turlock is going to miss their music angel.

    You voice will always resonate with us as we play in the halls of the Carnegie.

    Start up the ukulele heaven group. We will all be joining you up there someday.
    May God bless you and your family.

  2. Melissa Gordier says

    I have fond memories of Dan and Kathy being like second parents to my sister, Allison, who was closest of friends to their Allison in childhood. She loved spending time with your family as a kid and that love for all of you endures to this day. Over the years as your family became friends of my family, I was always conscious of and appreciated the deep love that was so obvious between Dan and Kathy for each other and for their children. This love always extended outward from their happiness and joy in each other to the people who came into their lives and home. I have always enjoyed the times I’ve spent time with you. Please know I have been thinking about your family much during these difficult past several months and will continue to do so. I am so sorry for your loss. You are loved and cared for by many.

    ~Melissa

  3. Sarah Cooper says

    Danny what do I say? Your front door was always open and your smile was always welcoming. You and Kathy were second parents to me during a phase in my life when I didn’t have a set of my own. Thank you for always making me feel welcome and letting me share in so much of your family time. The memories I have of you will last a life time.

    XOXOXO

  4. Greg Jackson says

    Dear Dan, I want to thank you for being such an important part of mine and my Dad’s lives. You have been such a special ukulele leader and friend to us and have shown us the peace and joy that ukulele brings. I appreciate you my dear friend. Thanks for caring about others and bringing joy in people’s lives.

    And Kathy, even though I was resistant, I want to thank you for pushing me to play ukulele years ago. You are a special person with a great big heart. Dan was blessed to have such a special wife.

    Dan and Kathy, thanks for your dear friendship.

  5. Alex Kiehl says

    Praying for you and Kathy twice daily. I am so grateful to have known you these past two years and four months. Please continue to lead us from beyond. Thanks for everything. You are still our sunshine. May God rest your merry soul.

    P.S. Teach the angels to tackle that tablature, buddy! But if any of them have any jokes they want to tell their neighbors, make them take ’em outside!

  6. Mary Doerksen (Mary d) says

    I meet Danny (mantel mentor) through his bride Kathy. They became dear friends over the last 25 years. Danny taught me how work with wood, how to lay a wooden floor and so much more. He encouraged me to join Memorial Hospitals Cancer Survivors class which taught oil painting. Danny was the kind of man, who even though he was not feeling great himself, he came over and replaced an over head kitchen light for me because he knew I was terrified of electricity. I shall miss such a kind, loving and generous friend as Danny. My prayers and love to all who loved Danny and whom he loved.

  7. The Walkers says

    Condolences to all!! May God continue to look over all of you during this difficult time and cherish the memories with your beloved Farher, Grandfather, and Husband

  8. Tricia Samson-Raymond says

    I’m friends with Danny’s daughter Allison. While at University Danny was always helping us build things for our sorority. He was so handy and no project was too small or big. Danny and Kathy always welcomed me with open arms. May god lift his family up during this difficult time.

  9. Kathy Nish says

    I met Dan 8 yrs ago through Memorial Hospital Complimentart Therapy cancer survivor music group. After my husband passed away due to cancer 7 yrs ago, Dan & Kathy were very supportive. I will always be grateful for Dan making me laugh, his lessons on playing the uke, his big hugs & his friendship. With the grace of God, we will continue to keep sunshine strummers & the Uke JAMz active. Credit also goes to Kathy for keeping me busy & off the couch.
    Dan will be forever in my heart!!

  10. Greg DeBree says

    Dan was my neighbor for 20 years so their are many memories of him I could share. One in particular happened in March of 2005. A rain storm and lack of pumping had flooded our street. Water was lapping up against our garage doors. Dan and Kathy opened up their house for an impromptu party for the whole block. We all waded to their house with the fixings for a party. Lets just say a good time was had by all and when we finished our celebrations we walked out to find the street bone dry. That is the kind of person he was always willing to pitch in and make a good time out of it. He will surely be missed.

  11. John Bartlett says

    I met Dan in a ukulele group about 7 years ago.
    He was co-leading the group of cancer survivors and care givers. The time I have known him has been spent playing music in Uke groups. The last day I saw him we were playing music at the hospital a few weeks ago. Dan of course leading a small group of his “Uke disciples” from his hospital bed. My Friend and Brother you are loved and missed! “HUGS”

  12. Kate Johnson says

    I have only been to the Jamz for the last 2 years but Dan had such charisma and he really knew his stuff. He was funny and smart…a winning combination. Add to that his joy for this group and you just couldn’t help but love and admire this man as well as Kathy for all they have given to this community. Bless your family and know that we grieve with you for the loss that he leaves behind. Kate Johnson

  13. Susan Campbell says

    Thanks Dan for helping me learn the uke. Loved to hear you play & your singing was great! You were a great leader for our big uke group. It was fun & enjoyed going every Thursday it was something to look forward to. After losing my husband Dan & Kathy helped me come back to life. I didn’t like the sad songs but all the others were great.
    We will miss you Dan!! Love to Kathy & the family at this difficult time.

  14. Betty Sanders says

    We love you and miss you Dan! Thanks for organizing the Sunshine Strummers and allowing everyone to join. Even those of us who are not that good on the ukulele but love to sing!!! My condolences to the family. Sending prayers of peace and comfort!!

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