Danny Ervin Witherspoon

Danny Ervin Witherspoon, a life long educator, musician, artist and Masonic Brother, of Anaheim, California, passed away on April 4, 2019, after suffering from a stroke brought on by other health issues.

His father, Cecil Shelby Witherspoon, precedes him in death, as does his mother Joey Phyllis Byrd Witherspoon, both of Georgetown, Ohio; two brothers, Harry Lee Witherspoon and Jimmy Frances Witherspoon, both brothers resided in the state of Ohio.

Survivors include three daughters, Laura Lee Witherspoon Tollefson, of Jacksonville, Florida, Dana Elizabeth Witherspoon of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Julie Ann Witherspoon of Fullerton, California and a son, Danny James of Knob Noster, Missouri; two sisters, Ethel Ann Witherspoon Watson, of Georgetown, Ohio and Teresa Sue Witherspoon Grimes, of Lebanon, Ohio.

Danny was born January 8th, 1942, in Williamsburg, Kentucky near the banks of the Cumberland River where he spent many days of his youth hanging out with his brothers and friends, fishing and boating.

He graduated from high school in Williamsburg, to attend Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in music and art education and later earned his Master’s degree from the same college.

His love of teaching music began in the small town of Elkhorn City, Kentucky. Danny’s talent in teaching young people music, then traversed onto Racine and Willard, Ohio, Richmond, Kentucky, Somerset, New Jersey, down to the sunshine state of Florida and eventually finding his way out west, to the state of California, where he taught music for many years in the Pomona Unified School District and later retired from the Santa Ana Unified School District. His band students were his family and he loved to see young people learn the love of music through the performing arts.

During his life in California he became a member of the Masons.

He was well versed in ritual and ceremony, and treasured his time as a Past Master and Past Inspector of several lodges. At his passing, Danny was a brother of the Anaheim Masonic Lodge.

As a Mason Danny was well respected by his peers and recognized numerous times by the Grand lodge of California, for his natural talent as a mentor and a ritualist. He was a Mason’s  Mason and would do anything for a needy brother or his family.

He was particularly well versed in the lectures of the craft and enjoyed giving them to many brothers and their sons as they were initiated and progressed through the degrees of Freemasonry. His brethren and friends will miss him and forever occupies a place in our hearts.

A celebration of his life will take place at Anaheim Lodge #207, on June 29, 2019 at 12:00 noon.