Born Danny Ray Hemphill on December 8, 1952, in Markham, Texas, to William and Bernice Hemphill. Growing up, Danny became immersed in ranch life as he watched his father manage a ranch in Matagorda County. He spent his pre-teen, teenage, and young adult years on the back of a horse, following the rodeo circuit as a roper and becoming the epitome of a Cowboy.
After graduation from Tidehaven High in Bay City, Texas, Danny pursued his bachelor’s degree at Wharton Junior College, then transferring to Texas A&M. While attending Texas A&M he met his future bride, Susan. He remembers her walking into the classroom of the Zachry Engineering building and knew he had to ask her out…a fact they laughed about when their oldest son began his university career in the same building.
Marrying Susan and graduating from Texas A&M in 1975 led Danny to ranch management in the Houston area. In 1977, Danny and Susan welcomed their first son, Matthew Lane, followed by their daughter, Anna Lee. While working for various ranches, in the southern part of Texas, Danny made friends wherever he went with his ready laugh, his quiet confidence, and his rock-steady faith in God.
Moving to Central Texas in 1985, Danny and Susan welcomed their second son, Samuel Lenon. Central Texas, and specifically Hamilton, Texas, would become the anchor point for the Hemphill Family. Whether it be working herds of cattle, teaching his kids how ride and understand horses, or conveniently forgetting to take Sam to kindergarten so they could spend more time on the ranch, Danny was ever present and dedicated to his family. His dedication to his church family was a wonderful example to his children.
Though he was a rancher and a cowboy to his core, Danny went into teaching in the 1990s – helping and influencing more students that his humility would ever let him know – eventually earning his Master of Education from Sul Ross University.
After retiring from teaching, he and Susan focused on their life on the ranch and enjoying the quiet, their children, and grandchildren. Though he never fully recovered from the grief of losing his beloved wife, he was a hero to many and one of the last truly great Cowboys.
Danny was preceded in death by his wife, Susan.
Danny is survived by his children Matthew (Laurie) Hemphill, Anna (Alex) Grant, Samuel (Christine) Hemphill; six grandchildren, Emily Ann (15), Callum Hemphill (8), Caleb Robert (7), Rhys William (6), Benjamin Luke (5), and Rachel Elyse (3); and his brother, Jerry Hemphill, and sister, Sue Hemphill.
