Danny R. Toney

Danny R. Toney was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on August 3, 1940 and passed away on August 20, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.  In between, he lived a beautiful life filled with love, adventure and service to others. He was one of the good guys.  The kind of man who is devoted to his family, his country and his lord.   He served in the Navy for 20 years, retiring as a Senior Chief in 1976.  He spent the next 20 plus years working as an electrical engineer for CDI Marine Company.  After “retirement” he continued to work with his daughter’s and son in law’s family business, R and T trim, providing office and technical support. 

While he was an ardent believer in hard work, he was even bigger in his devotion to his family.  He is survived by his beloved wife Peggy Toney of Jacksonville, FL.  Peggy and Danny married in their 40’s and had the task of combining their families of adult children.  They managed to build the most loving and cohesive “Brady Bunch” family ever.  Their house was a constant bustle of kids, grandkids and eventually great grandkids.  Together they grew a foundation of love and joy that impacted everyone who had the pleasure of knowing them.  Peggy’s dedication to Danny in his final months of life was a resounding testament to the deep love they shared and gave all of us kids and grandkids the most beautiful lesson in the love and devotion.   

Danny is also survived by 6 adult children and their spouses (who claim him too!).  Teena and Ricky Hypes of Jacksonville, FL, Sean and Judy Toney of South Carolina, Jimmy and Rebecca Gay of Jacksonville, FL, Kathleen and Bobby Foose of Jacksonville, FL, Joey and Robin Gay of Jacksonville, FL and Maureen and Gary Griner of Tarpon Springs, FL.  Growing up he was the kind of Dad who was the cub master and band president.  The kind who never missed a game, a recital or a concert.  The kind who would make a Halloween costume for you or spend all night helping you put together a science project. He believed in all of us and was quick to remind us that we could achieve anything we wanted to.   As we grew into adults, he was always there to share a laugh or a good time.  He was a wonderful cook.   Peggy and he would host some wonderful family get togethers, where he would take way too many pictures!   He was also a steady source of support for each of us as we handled the challenges of adult life.  We will all miss the joy for life he shared with us as well as his calmness and steadiness when life got hard. 

Danny adored his grandchildren and many great grandchildren and they adored him right back. He is survived by nine grandchildren; Steven Smith,  Allen Adams, Tiffany Martin (Robbie) , Maggie Dowen (Mike) , Tyler Foose, Dustin Griner, Collin Griner, Wesley Griner, and Tucker Griner.  He is also survived by 10 great grandchildren; Dustin, Desirae, Kristen, Trace, Kaelyn, Eli, Aubree, Dax, Lucy and Alex.  Even as age and illness slowed him down physically, he was the most fun playmate.  He was always ready to get down on the floor and play even if it was hard to get back up.  Peggy and his children often had to implore him to stop giving the great grandkids piggy back rides so he wouldn’t hurt himself.  He knew how to be silly, how to dance, how to tell fun jokes, how to not take himself too seriously and basically how to enjoy life.   This of course made him the most fun pops, grandpa and great pops ever! 

Danny was preceded in death by his parents James Earl Toney and Betty Story and 3 or his four brothers Jerry, Jimmy, and Johnny.  He is survived by one brother Larry Toney of Kansas. 

He will be so deeply missed by all of us but what a blessing it was to have him for so long.  His beautiful spirit and never-ending love will be with us always.