Family and friends of Danny Ray Stephenson, a Lehigh Acres, Florida resident since 1970, suffered a huge loss when he passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012 at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, Florida. Danny was born in Batesville, Indiana and was 58 years of age. He was known throughout Southwest Florida for his unique guitar playing ability. He was the other half of the Danny and MeloDee duo that played at the Club Coach in Lehigh Acres for over 26 years. His well-rounded style included folk, rock, zydeco, gospel, country, and bluegrass. He was most recently the lead guitar and bass vocal for Bill Gouley’s Golden Road Quartet, and he was lead guitar for the Moccasin River Band. He had settled into his niche as a single act and was last performing on Sanibel-Captiva Island. As a second generation piano technician, he supplemented his music by tuning pianos.
Danny was also a youth advocate. Throughout his early Lehigh life he was active in coaching youth soccer. He also served for many years as athletic director on the Lehigh Youth Soccer Association board of directors. He coached both recreational and competitive soccer teams, and was certified to referee both league and high school soccer. During the past 3 years Danny was DJ for the monthly Veteran’s Park teen dances, and he was DJ for the Lehigh Middle School dances.
Danny served as the treasurer and entertainment director on the Lehigh Spring Festival board of directors. Most of Lehigh will remember him as the “voice” of the annual Lehigh Spring Festival. He emceed every day of the 9-day festival from the main stage as well as being co-emcee of the festival parade.
Danny was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Townsend. He is survived by wife, Judy Carter Stephenson; father, John Stephenson; brother, Jeffrey Stephenson; son, Chris Stephenson; daughter, Mistee Licari; 4 grandsons, and a niece.
There will be no funeral, however a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Veteran’s Park on the main stage in Lehigh Acres. Immediately following the memorial service there will be a celebration of Danny’s life, a benefit that will include music, food, an auction, and children’s activities.
In lieu of flowers, the family is working on establishing a special account at a local bank where donations can be made to cover medical expenses.
For information, please contact Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, Florida 33913, (239)334-4880.
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