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Arthur Danner Obituary
Services will be held Saturday for Judge Arthur Danner III who died unexpectedly on Jan. 28th while on vacation with his family in Palm Springs. He was 62.
Judge Danner was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York to Arthur Jr. and Grace Danner. The first of three children, and only son, Art was the star of his family, a role he never gave up.
A legal career that spanned 35 years from prosecutor to District Attorney to Superior Court Judge began in 1968 when Art received his Law Degree from the University of Illinois. A tough prosecutor became a savvy politician and a respected jurist. He left an indelible impression not only on the legal community but Santa Cruz as a whole.
Art joined the District Attorney's office in 1969, just as Santa Cruz County was beginning an era of high profile criminal cases. He was a member of the prosecution team that successfully tried murderers John Lindley Frazier, Herbert Mullin and Edmund Kemper. As District Attorney he convicted the "Trailside Killer".
In 1977 Art became the chief deputy district attorney. In 1978 he was elected the Santa Cruz County District Attorney, an office he held for twenty years. A relentless prosecutor and advocate for the victims of crimes and their families, he earned the nickname "Bulldog", a title he relished as a symbol of his belief in the rule of law. Art served on the Board of the California District Attorneys' Association for 6 years and was President of the Association in 1988-89. He was also a member of the National District Attorneys' Association and received the "President's Award" from them in 1999.
Art was an active member of the community who served on many volunteer boards and organizations including: The Mello Center for the Performing Arts, Women's Crisis Support/Defensa de Mujeres, Teen Court, Future Families, and Drug Court among many others. Art has been recognized by the State Legislature as well as many other agencies for his tireless work on behalf of those who were unable to help themselves.
In 1998 Governor Pete Wilson appointed Art to the Superior Court. As a judge Art became known as a firm but fair jurist who was a quick study and hard worker. He was known as an honorable man who kept his word. The kind of man who would, and did, make an excellent lawyer, a tenacious prosecutor, and a fair judge. He was a man who made a difference.
Judge Danner is survived by his wife Betty Danner of La Selva Beach, their children Christopher and Katelyn, sons Arthur Paul Danner and Andrew Danner of Scotts Valley, parents Arthur Jr. and Grace Danner of Santa Cruz, sisters Lynne Danner of Aptos and Cheryl Miller of San Diego, 6 grandchildren, 6 nieces and nephews and a universe of friends.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4th, at Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Dr., Aptos. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 3rd from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel, 1927 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, CA. Interment will be private.
In order to continue Judge Danner's work for the community, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Arthur Danner III Community Memorial Fund. Contributions can be sent to Santa Cruz County Bank, Acct. #011006418, 325 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 for information on contributing please contact Chris Miffia, 831 457-5003.
Arrangements entrusted to Santa Cruz Memorial. For any further information please call 831 426-1601
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Danner
December 20, 2014
Thinking of you.
Jane Parks-McKay
October 21, 2014
As we mourn the loss of Bob Lee, our county's recent and dedicated DA, I have to think of his predecessors and of course Judge Danner. I interned in the DA's office while in college and will never forget the patient, entry as I did research, serving on several task forces through that time period. To say that Judge Danner was fair, stuck to his guns and yet, very open to the community that he and his family lived in would be an understatement. We were all so proud of him as he advanced to the Bench.
October 13, 2011
Will remember forever.
Billie Lewis
July 15, 2010
Arthur and I grew up living next door to each other. We would talk to each other at night through our bedroom windows. I remember growing up when Levittown was new and playing "king of the hill" and wire ball. Arthur was smart, hard working, and a great friend. I cherish those memories, and was truly sorry to learn of his death.
Dianne Dettmer Maughan
June 30, 2007
Art and I sat next to each other all through school (alphabetical) in Levittown, PA. He was a real leader, our class president, an athlete and a scholar. And a good friend. His memory will stay with me always.
Matt Gray
February 27, 2006
How do I say goodbye to someone who influenced me so much as a child, growing up in the same neighborhood as his children? Art was a good man- and I will personally carry the memory I have of him- which is of a man who really did what he felt was right in life. I wish his WHOLE family my deepest condolences- especially his sons Art and Andrew, who are also very good men in their own right. God bless the soul of A.D.! Peace be with those who suffer from this terrible loss.
Vicki Grilli
February 18, 2006
To the Danner Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Even my sons, who stood in front of Judge Danner, a few times, were shocked and saddened when they learned of his passing. As a mother, I just wanted to pass along to you that Judge Danner did make a positive impact on my sons and that I was always thankful for his understanding and empathy for his clients and that he always set boundaries for them, too! May he rest in peace and I send my prayers to all of his friends,family and co-workers.
Vicki Grilli
Mom of Daniel & John Grilli
Jim Erickson
February 9, 2006
Art and I were roommates at the Univ. of Ill. and he was a groomsman at my wedding. I still considered him a friend even though we hadn't seen each other in 40 years. Comments describing him as tough and tenacious are true, but he also was soft-hearted about many things and fair-minded.
Tom Lowdermilk
February 4, 2006
Every single memory of you, small and large, has been springing to life in my mind. And you seem never more alive and vital to me than now. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Donna R. James
February 2, 2006
It was a privilege working with Art Danner for over 20 years in the District Attorney's Office. He served the county well!
Tisha Byrd-Jones
February 2, 2006
Art was a GREAT guy and a GREAT boss. He gave so much of himself to this community. He will be dearly missed by all.
Vince Riccabona
February 2, 2006
I was very sorry to learn of Art's passing. He will be truly missed by all that knew him.
Bob Hosfeldt
February 1, 2006
He gave so much to our community. He will never be forgotten or replaced.
Keith Robinson
February 1, 2006
It was a privilege to watch you work as a judge.
Cindy Murphy
January 31, 2006
Thank you for the lessons learned.
You are missed.
Mel and Consuelo Lowdermilk
January 31, 2006
It was good to have known you.
Thanks for all the great memories.
You will be missed
Jack Bassett
January 31, 2006
A great loss to the County and to all his friends
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