Danny Lee Cron

Danny (Dan) Lee Cron, 77, of Bonanza, OR passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 28, 2025.

Dan was born on November 7, 1947 in Berryville, Arkansas to Sammy William and Lucille Faye Cron. He grew up in Buena, WA, spending his teenage years picking fruit in the orchards. He graduated from Toppenish High School, then went on to the University of Washington where he received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He also served in the National Guard for six years. In 1975 he became a Licensed Land Surveyor, number 1028, in the State of Oregon and was licensed at the time of his death.

Dan married Beverly Bridgewater in 1969 and settled in the Hood River Valley, OR where they had a daughter, Cassie and a son, Matt. They divorced in 1978.

Dan started his professional career with Hood River County, where he became the County Surveyor, before starting DLC Surveying in 1975. Dan was a prominent land surveyor in Hood River and Wasco Counties for decades. Dan took great pride in his work and enjoyed helping land owners achieve their goals.

Dan married Laury Goss in 1987. Laury worked along side him in the surveying business and on their hobby cattle farm in Parkdale, OR.

Upon his retirement in 1997, he and Laury, followed their dream to become cattle ranchers and purchased a run-down, fixer-upper ranch in Plush, OR. They worked and built a successful 300 head cattle operation. Dan enjoyed all aspects of ranch life, trailing, branding, calving, haying and just enjoying life on the high desert.

Eventually, in 2018, they downsized, purchasing a smaller hay and cattle ranch in Bonanza, OR. This allowed Dan to enjoy other activities such as building their new home, running his backhoe, and fishing while also maintaining a small herd of cattle.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Laury Cron, daughter Cassie Cron Merrin (husband James), son Matt Cron (wife Tracy), stepdaughter Donna Holland Mow (fiancé Mark), and eleven grandchildren.

Dan is proceeded in death by his parents, Sammy and Lucille Cron and his brother Randy Cron.

Dan lived every day to the fullest following his dreams and looking to the heavens. He was a true testament to the value of hard work and instilled these values in his children. Dan will be remembered for his infectious smile, wisdom, hard work, love for his family and his love for God and his land. Dan will be missed by many but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.