February 03, 1946 - January 03, 2011
Loran Jr. Dantzler Obituary
(Age 64)
Loran entered peacefully into rest at age 64 on January 3, 2011. He was at home in Spokane Valley surrounded by family, friends, and much love. Loran bravely endured the ravages of Alzheimer?s disease for almost a decade before it claimed his life.
He was born February 3, 1946 in San Diego, California to the late Loran and Isabelle Mills Dantzler. He was the oldest of six children, and is survived by four siblings, Alex Dantzler of Concord, CA, Elizabeth (Melvin) Mosley of Los Angeles, CA, Dawn (Chauncey) Crosby of Concord, CA, and Rodney Dantzler of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by his wife, Patricia, daughter Arel M. Dantzler, son Loran A. Dantzler, all of Spokane Valley, and two granddaughters; Demri T. Magda of Mead, WA and Myah N. Dantzler of Spokane Valley. In California he is survived by his great aunt Katherine Handcox, uncle Wilbert Dantzler, aunt Patricia Dantzler, all of San Diego, and aunt Eula (Lawrence) Marshall of Chula Vista, CA, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. His parents and grandparents, his brother, Gregory Dantzler of Los Angeles, and his nephew, James Chatham, preceded him in death.
Loran loved playing sports and excelled at baseball at even a young age. After graduating high school from San Diego HS, he attended San Diego City College before being drafted into the Army, which he served for two years. Upon discharge he attended the University of Idaho on a baseball scholarship, where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Education. It was here that he met his wife of 38 years, Patricia. They moved to Lynnwood, WA and were married Nov 30, 1973. Loran was a WSP Trooper for six years before moving on to Security and Safety Manager at Ciba-Geigy Corp. in Seattle. In 1987 he obtained a position at the Wash State Dept of Transportation, and eventually moved to Spokane in 1989 as Eastern Region Safety & Health Manager, which he held until 2004 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer?s. Loran loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and camping in his motor home with his family and many lifelong friends. Until he could no longer run the bases, he was a homerun hitter on his softball teams, where he made many beloved friends. He was an excellent cook, barbecue expert, wine maker, and especially storyteller. He especially loved to make others laugh, and everyone loved his infectious laughter, which filled our lives with joy. A memorial service to celebrate Loran?s life will be held January 15, 2011, 2:00 pm at the Heritage Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer?s Association in lieu of flowers. Visit heritagefunerals.com for Loran?s eulogy and tribute.
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