Born November 27, 1940 in Madera, California to Loraine and William McGhee, Danny was raised in Chowchilla and attended Chowchilla High School where he met and married the love of his life, Vivian Hauff, in 1956.
Danny joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957 where he served for 12 years as an air traffic controller stationed in Miami, Florida, Germany and Okinawa, Japan, among other places. Danny finished his military career with 8 years in the U.S. Army as an air traffic controller and recruiter in the San Fransisco area. After retiring from the military, Danny built his home in El Nido with his son on property that was handed down to Vivian by her father, David Hauff. Danny then worked in air traffic controlling for the federal government at Stockton Airfield for 15 years, and then for 10 years at the Merced Airport, and finally retired in 2007.
Danny was a giving and generous man, and his biggest passions were his family, attending his grandchildren’s events, and taking care of his 3-acre property that they had lovingly turned into a park setting over the years. He enjoyed SCUBA diving in Okinawa and the Florida Keys, sailing his Hobie catamaran, camping (including all over Europe with his young family), and traveling to Hawaii later in life.
Danny was a passionate and life-long LA Dodgers and LA Rams fan.
He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws, his brothers Bobby McGhee and Billy McGhee, and his grandson, Athinian “AC” McGhee. Danny is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Vivian; his brother Carl McGhee (Fran) of Paradise, CA, sister and brother-in-laws, Jean and Alexander “Smokey” Thomas of El Nido and their children Steven Thomas, Troy Thomas and LeAnne Thomas Pursley; his 3 children, Lisa McGhee-Bowers (Wallace) of Merced, Danny Paul McGhee (Jill) of Tampa, FL, and Patrick McGhee (Mandy) of Merced; his 8 grandchildren: Athena (McGhee) Robinson (Sean) of Georgia, Tawyna (McGhee) Riano (Jaime) of Maryland, Bobby McGhee (Ronica) of Merced, David McGhee (Suzanne) of Atwater, Sean McGhee of Merced, Samantha (Thomas) Holguin (Adam) of Turlock, Courtney (Burks) Mullin (Brandon) of Iowa, and Jesse Burks of Merced; his 21 great-grandchildren; his 3 great-great grandchildren; and other family, all of whom were dear to him throughout his life.
A Graveside Service for Danny will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Chowchilla Cemetery District, 23359 Rd 14 1/2, Chowchilla, California.
Please join us in remembering Danny Roy McGhee by visiting our Memorial at www.wordenchapel.com
Through this site, we invite you to view and share cherished photos and videos, share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the McGhee Family or share the obituary with others via social media and email. Arrangements are under the direction of Palm Memorial Worden Chapel, Lori Whatley, Funeral Arranger.
