Obituaries

James Edward Danaher

Photo of James Edward Danaher
James Edward Danaher, 92, of Pine Bluff, died Saturday, July 26, 2014. He was born November 29, 1921 in Little Rock, son of George Stray and Gretchen Brown Danaher. Mr. Danaher attended East Side Junior High School in Little Rock, where he delivered milk before school for Dixon Dairy. He worked with Jerry Dean, who became National Chaplain for the Army. After school and summers he worked as a messenger for Owens, Ermine & McHaney Attorneys hand delivering correspondence to local businesses. His family moved to Dallas, Texas, where he graduated from Highland Park High School. He studied geology at Texas A&M. The family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where they owned the Chrysler-Plymouth auto dealership and a parking garage. He volunteered into military service in 1943 doing his basic training at Majors Field, Texas. During World War II, he flew the P-38 Lightning with the 54th Fighter Squadron out of Attu in the Aleutian Islands and was there on D-Day. He remained in the reserves and was a test pilot for Douglas Aircrafts' B-17. Mr. Danaher was recalled during the Korean conflict to open an IFR pilot-training school in Valdosta, Georgia. In the 1950's, he and his brother prospected for uranium in Utah selling their claims to producers. Mr. Danaher later moved his family to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he raised cattle while clearing land for farming, opened the Kerr McGee service stations, built and operated Island Harbor Marina as well as digging the canals to develop Island Harbor Estates Subdivision and later forming the Island Harbor Homeowners Association and Volunteer Fire Department. He was an active member and director of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Port Authority from 1978 to 1990 receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award as the Chairman from 1985-1986; a senior member of the U.S. Power Squadron and a member of the P-38 National Association. Mr. Danaher claimed his first thoroughbred race horse in 1986. That venture expanded to include building his own training track and stable of "Humble" horses. He began his stables with the Bible precept "he who humbles himself shall be exalted and he who exalts himself shall be humbled". He was owner, breeder, trainer and his stable of "Humble" horses have won many distinguished racing awards. He retired from racing in 2007. He received three awards in 2011 from the Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders & Horseman's Association for stakes winning horses of 2010. He received a Silver Certificate as a member of Arkansas Council Race Track Chaplaincy. In 2010, he was honored at the Arkansas-Oklahoma Port Operator's/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Conference as a tribute to those who have contributed outstanding service to the development of the Arkansas River, its basin and the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. He is a long-time member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Pine Bluff. Mr. Danaher was preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick Danaher; and grandson, Matthew Danaher. Survivors include two sons, James Danaher Jr. of Pine Bluff and Tom Danaher (Kelly) of Norman, Oklahoma; three daughters, Mary Gretchen Castle of Fort Collins, Colorado, Madeline Udashen of Dallas, Texas and Betty Danaher of Dallas; brother, Tom Danaher of Wichita Falls, Texas; grandchildren, Patrick, Trey and Amanda Danaher; Andrew Castle (Whitney), Katie Reed, Stephen Castle, David Castle (Tonya); Trenna Brooks (Jeremy); Elizabeth Berger (Adam); John Danaher; Aubrey and Ben Udashen; Gretchen Goldstucker; Sam Goldstucker (Lily); Melanie McCollum (Nick); great-grandchildren, Annabel Brooks, Anthony Castle, Ava Danaher, Jace Castle, Grace and Anna Berger; Rylie and Kaylie McCollum. He is also survived by his companion of many years and caregiver during his last few years, Retha Hankins of Pine Bluff; Retha's children, David Hankins (Carla) of England, Arkansas and Susie Clement (Tommy) of Summit, Arkansas; grandchildren, Katie Marchese (Vince), Hollis and Sami Hankins, Christopher Clement (Nicolette); and great-grandchildren, Addison and Emma Marchese. A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, July 31, 2014 at Trinity Episcopal Church with Reverend Dr. Walter Van Zandt Windsor officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Trinity Columbarium. A reception will follow the service in the Parish Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Ralph Robinson & Son. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 2222, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published July 29, 2014

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