Frank J. Danner

FRANK JAMES (JIM) DANNER was born on October 9, 1930 in Gallipolis, Ohio, to Charlotte Ward Danner and Frank Danner. He has a surviving brother, Richard Ward Danner, who was born on July 19, 1936. Jim was raised in Gallipolis, Ohio, went to school there, played in the band, played both football and baseball, worked at the local theatre until he joined the Navy following graduation from High School in 1948. When he joined the Navy, he found that his birth certificate indicated his legal name was “Frank” James instead of the name his mother had given him as James Frank. This caused a lot of confusion throughout the years, but he managed it very well as he did everything else in his life.

In 1949, the Navy assigned him to San Diego Naval Base and for recreation; he roller skated at Paradise Roller Rink in North Park. One night in late December of 1949, he was “rexing” which was backwards skating, and was run into by Elsie and her sister. The knee of his slacks was torn, so Elsie took him home and asked her Mother to patch up the tear. After that he was a permanent fixture in their household.

Jim and Elsie were married on April 17, 1951, at the Grace Baptist Church in North Park in between his tours of duty to Korea. He was discharged from the Navy in 1952 and took a job with the Telephone Company where he worked for 35 years in the cable division. There were three girls born into the marriage, Marcy Lynn on September 5, 1955, Patricia (Patti) Jean on September 26, 1958 and Julie Anne, on August 25, 1964. Marcy is married to Andrew with 2 boys, Alex 21 and Glenn 18. Patti is married to Jerry with 1 boy Thomas, 19 and Julie has 3 children, Victoria 14, Brandon 8 and Jason 7.

Jim went to college for business classes in the evenings for a long time and lacking 2 credits, he did not receive his degree. He often said he couldn’t pass the typing class and didn’t want to continue.

Jim enjoyed his girls very much, he taught them to change the oil and tires on their cars, made sure they could be independent and was extremely supportive of them. He went camping with the Girl Scouts, coached Little League team which he really enjoyed. He played softball and was the left handed pitcher for the Telephone Company team for many years. Jim loved bowling with the Golden Swingers, enjoyed golfing and watching Tiger on T.V. He was a real Charger Fan too. He especially loved square dancing and line dancing for which he had a special passion. He was the most understanding and fair man, and would always see both sides of every story. Congenial, patient, kind, caring, loving God and his family was what Jim was all about. We will all miss him dearly in every way for the rest of our lives.