Jack J Danforth

in Fresno, Ca. He was preceded in death by his wife Marian, who he shared 49

wonderful years with, and his Step-Son Ronald Lee Aleshire. Danny is survived

by Step-Son Skip and his wife Elaine Aleshire, Step-Son Brian and his wife

Stephanie Aleshire, 7 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren, and many Nieces,

Nephews and friends.

Danny was born November 1, 1921 in Jasonville, Indiana. He was one of ten

children born to Thomas Edgel & Lucile Catherine Danforth. Named after the

American boxer Jack Dempsey, he was born into an Irish boxing family.

His father was a fight promoter, so the family moved around a lot. Danny and

his brothers were part of their father’s popular pre-fight Vaudeville act named

the Danforth Trio, which even opened for the second Tunney-Dempsey fight.

The kids would pretend to be the featured fighters, entertaining the audience

and making the family $95-$100 per week.

Danny entered the Oregon National Guard in 1940, joined the Army when the

U.S. entered WW II, and was then drafted for the Korean War. He received an

honorable discharge from the Army in 1949, after a total of 8 years, 10 months,

and 4 days of service.

After his military career, Danny worked in the newspaper business, mostly as a

Stereotyper, for the Portland Oregonian and then for the San Jose Mercury News

in California, where he retired after 28 years.

Everyone who knew Danny knew that he was lucky. We called it the “luck of

the Irish”. Whether it was a raffle, lotto tickets, the slot machines or his favorite

game of Craps, Danny usually came out a winner. He loved to tell stories of his

life, fascinate us with his magic tricks, and he loved to laugh. He would joke and

order an Irish Whiskey at dinner, but black coffee was usually his drink of choice.

He never drank, never smoked, and loved a good steak! Danny was a very

generous man, and appreciated the people in his life. He was loved by many and

will be missed by those who knew him.