Born at his childhood home on High St. in Fayetteville, WV on 17 February 1950 to Clarence Allen Dangerfield and Louise Dangerfield (née Spangler), he was a graduate of Fayetteville High School (1968), and West Virginia Tech (1974), where he earned his bachelors degree in music education. He began his career as an elementary teacher at Pax Elementary School (1974), then went on to teach band and general music at Mt. Hope High School (1974-77), Fayetteville High School (1977-88), and Collins Middle School (1988-2005). Following his 2005 retirement, he was a substitute teacher from 2005-2009. He came out of retirement for the 2009-10 academic year to teach music and Nuttall Middle School. In college, he began playing drum set with a band called Rush (no, not that one). After he retired from teaching, he continued to play in a number of classic rock and blues bands. He was also the director of the New River Jazz Band.
He is survived by his sister Donna Dangerfield Graziani (Robert Graziani), his aunt Patricia Spangler Bailes, former wife Jo Ellen Dangerfield (née Conner) and their children, Joseph Allen Dangerfield (Ami Leigh Dangerfield), and Anna Dangerfield Frost (Richard Smith), former sister-in-law Cathy Young (née Conner), and nephews Clint Young, Joel Young, and niece Ashton Young, and grandchildren Conner Allen Dangerfield, Piper Elyana Dangerfield, Noah Brent Frost, and Jillian Claire Dangerfield, as well as many cousins and the innumerable students he mentored and inspired during his more than thirty year teaching career.
Dad was one of the kindest and most patient people we’ve ever known. A smile always played on his lips, ready to shine with whomever he was engaging. His wit was quick, and his temper slow. He was there when we needed him, and gave freely of his time and knowledge. We will miss him terribly, and will honor his memory by following his example.
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