Daniel Earl MacArthur

Daniel Earl MacArthur died February 11, 2026, from complications of influenza. He was 71 years old.

Dan was born on November 17, 1954, in Denver, Colorado to Gladys "Connie" (Barnett) Dixon. He was adopted by his parents, Judson Earl and Mildred Darlene (Carson) MacArthur a few months later.

He was raised In Thornton, Colorado, graduating from Highland Highschool in 1973. After working at King Soopers for a year, he chose to attend college, graduating from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1978 with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism.

Most of Dan's career was spent writing and reporting for small newspapers on the Front Range and Western Slope in his home state. He worked at the Louisville Times, Delta County Independent, Montrose Daily Press, the Durango Herald, Glenwood Post, the Triangle Review, Inside Fort Collins and the North Forty News. He also worked briefly for the Northern Water District and the City of Fort Collins, but his heart was in journalism, and he finished his career as a columnist for the Coloradoan and the Denver Post.

Dan loved to participate in his community and his neighborhood. Any day you might find him clearing leaves out of the street drains or cleaning graffiti from signs in the neighborhood. He did not lead a "large life", as he said, but his kindness, infectious laugh, irreverent humor and genuine interest in people brought him many friends. He was not a talker but a respectful listener, always interested in the details of other people's lives. Contemplative and observant, he loved current events, history, maps, road trips, cars, cats and peaches.

In his own words his life was "not always easy, but it was always interesting."

Dan is survived by his wife Katherine "Kitty" Azari and her siblings Victoria Loran, Doran Azari, Aaron Azari, their spouses, children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his birth mother, Connie Dixon of Grants, New Mexico, a happy reunion for them both.

He was so very loved by all of us and is deeply missed. Rest now and be at peace.

A family memorial is planned. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the NoCo Humane Society.