Honorable Dale Danks Jr.

Honorable Dale Danks, Jr.

Madison - Honorable Dale Danks, Jr., 81, of Madison, passed away on June 9, 2021 at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS. A memorial gathering is being offered on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison, MS. In Lieu of flowers, memorials in Dale Danks name may be made to: Cops Pops P.O. Box 2489 Madison, MS 39130, Webster Animal Shelter P.O. Box 40 Madison, MS 39130 or to an animal shelter of your choice.

Dale is survived by his wife of 17 years, Janet Webb Danks, daughter, Lori Ann Spreafico and her husband Tony; grandson, Michael Dale Long and his wife Meg Gordon Long); two stepdaughters, Candace Hailey Battaglia and her husband Anthony Battaglia and Camille Hailey; granddaughters, Addilena Battaglia and Hazel Battaglia; grandson Marc Anthony Battaglia and his beloved pets, FeFe, Dede and Crystal.

Dale was born on August 27, 1939 to the late Alney Dale Danks and late Anna Marie Ross Danks. Dale was educated in the Jackson Public Schools and attended Millsaps College. He is a graduate of the Jackson School of Law; now Mississippi College Law School. Prior to the entry into the field of law in 1964, he worked for the City of Jackson, first in the Sanitation Department and later in the Water Department office.

Nearly fifteen years of law practice in the firm of Danks, Craig and Moss was coupled with six years of service as County Prosecuting Attorney. He was first elected to this office in 1971 and was re-elected in 1975 where he served until assuming the office of Mayor in 1977. While County Prosecuting Attorney, Danks, with his two assistants, handled in excess of 3,000 cases, covering the widest possible range of criminal activity. In 1973, during the time he was the prosecuting attorney for Hinds County, he was voted Jackson's "Outstanding Young Man" by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

First elected Mayor of Jackson in 1977, Dale was returned to office in 1981 and 1985. During twelve years as Mayor, Danks was instrumental in revitalizing downtown Jackson and has encouraged the economic development of the city through bringing new industries to the city. Dale has received numerous awards, accolades, and recognition for his work.

Dale's career most recently included serving as the city Attorney for Madison the City and served as the city's Municipal Court Judge. He also served as a partner in Danks, Miller and Cory, where he continued to be engaged in general trial practice.