Paul Stuart Danner

Paul Stuart Danner was born on the 31st of May in 1958 in Missouri. Patricia and Richard Danner adopted Paul as an infant and brought him to Canton, Illinois where he grew up. Being an only child, Paul was his parents pride and joy.

Paul attended High School at Richwood High School in Peoria, Illinois where he graduated in 1976. He loved Science, Nature and Art. Paul originally started college at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for Mortuary Science before changing course. He changed gears and went to Bradley University where he gained his Bachelors of Science in 1982.

Paul was not without his faults, he loved to listen to his music too loud, chewed tobacco, and drank as well, a little too much. Paul joined Alcoholics Anonymous in the late seventies and very early eighties. Through AA he became a sponsor and lived a sober living for over 30 years. He lived his sobriety. He ran many AA meetings and helped countless people.

Paul met Laura Barnes in 1981 in Decatur, Illinois. They moved to Colorado in 1983. On August 11, 1988 in Ft. Collins they were married. Paul started working for Woodward Governor as a lab tech in 1984. Sometime after making the move to Colorado he began his teaching career, teaching Biology to Freshman and Sophomores in High School. He only taught for a year or two before returning to technician work, much to Paul's dismay.. Laura and Paul shared a love of music and reading, as well as their love for the Chicago Cubs! Paul being the kind and loving person knew family was not always blood related and became a second dad to Laura’s son Josh. Now being a father to a young child meant that you are a father to their friends as well and took Josh’s friend Ricky under his wing also. In usual Paul fashion, after Laura's passing in 2004, he did not let relationships die, and kept in touch with both Josh and Ricky until his own passing.

Paul eventually sought out work for a new company and became a technician at Avago technologies, now Broadcom, where his coworkers became his friends and family. Paul relished in his overnight shifts and riding his bike to work through the rain, snow and shine. Breaks were often shared over a cribbage board.

No matter the time of day, he was always happy to enjoy a strong cup of coffee with anyone (As long as it wasn’t from the evil conglomerate Starbucks). Yuban was his coffee of choice, and the coffee maker ran night and day at his house.

In 2005 Paul met Virginia Sears through a coworker and they became fast friends. They shared similar interests and started their relationship. In 2006 Virginia moved in with Paul, and in 2007 they moved into an apartment complex off of Vermont and Timberline where they lived until they both passed away. Paul didn't let apartment living stop him, he composted, had his own compost area and even grew his own garden full of tomatoes not far from his front door. With Virginia, Paul gained 2 Stepsons, Jason and Matthew, 2 stepdaughters Haley and Kathrine, 2 grandsons, and a granddaughter. In 2018 Kat asked Paul to legally adopt her and in December of 2020 they made it official. Paul gained a daughter. In September of 2020 Virginia passed away at the home she and Paul shared.

Paul loved biking and even though he had a car, would frequently bike around Ft. Collins to do his errands or to get out and enjoy nature. Paul also enjoyed frequenting museums. The Denver Nature and Science Museum, the Kirkland Art Museum where he bought a few Jackson Pollock prints and drinking glasses, and the Denver Art Museum.

Paul had a knack for taking photos. Any family outing consisted of a camera in his hand, family and nature where his favorite subjects. Another of Paul’s hobbies was music. He enjoyed everything from The Beatles, to Johnny Cash, The Grateful Dead, Mike Zito and more. He was a snoopy fanatic. A walk into his house would show many snoopy items, a phone, Oxford style pins, and other countless memorabilia.

He frequented many Blues shows and many trips Blues and Greens in Boulder (A zero waste Establishment) where he started his friendship with musician Mike Zito, Blues coordinator Honey Bee and John Catt. Through John he found Blue Star Connection, an organization he volunteered for and donated to. Blue Star is a music organization favoriting Blues music, donating musical instruments and lessons to kids battling cancer and other terminal illnesses.

Paul was a giving person and donated to countless charities, schools and organizations, Blue Star Connection, Bradley University, and the Ft. Collins Rescue Mission to name a few.

On May 13, 2015 Paul was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He underwent the first of many surgeries that same year to remove his bladder and craft a new one with his own intestines. Paul thought this was a marvel of scientific medicine. Following that first surgery Paul underwent chemotherapy, radiation and a few more surgeries. Just a few days into the 2018 year, Paul was told he only had a year to a year and a half to live. To potentially buy himself a little more time Paul started immunotherapy, specifically Keytruda. This treatment gave him almost 4 years, 2 3/4 more than he was told he would have.

Paul absolutely loved those he considered his friends and family. He was proud of his children and grandchildren. He was not afraid to help anyone out, unless they burned him in the past, and supplied those that he loved with computers, iPods, iPads, and most importantly MacBooks. Paul was a LOYAL apple patron and after buying Kat her 3rd computer for school switched from HP to Mac so it would last more than 1 year. Paul had many Macs, one he used solely for music attached to his Manley Stingray tube amp, one for himself, one for Virginia, a desktop iMac, and a few others throughout the years including a couple iPads as well.

On November 30, 2021, Paul after a long 6 1/2 year battle against cancer, laid in his recliner and fell asleep. He passed that night. Paul will be missed by many, friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and family.

Paul is preceded in death by his Father Richard (Dick) Danner, Mother Patricia (Pat) Danner, Wife Laura, Significant other Virginia, feline friend Chloe, Uncles, family, friends, and coworkers.

Paul is survived by his daughter Kathrine and his soon to be son-in-law Logan, Sons Josh Allin and Ricky Graves; Stepchildren Jason, Matthew and Haley; Grandchildren Cadereign Graves, River Graves, Miles Graves, Cameron Potter, Tristan Potter and Karly Moncallo, numerous aunts, cousins, family, friends and coworkers.

A Memorial Service will be held in Ft. Collins at a later date, the family will update when that time comes.

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity, food rescue mission or Blue Star Connection in Paul’s name, OR go out and buy yourself a Mac!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Danner family.