Danny Dane Charles, 68, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on March 12, 2019.

Celebration of Life Service and Visitation

Thursday, March 21, 2019

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Pleasant Springs Baptist Church,

409 Winchester Road, NE, Huntsville, Alabama

Danny was predeceased by his parents, Boyd and Nana. He is survived by his son, Jason (Heather), and his two grandchildren, Tyler and Haylee, and two brothers, Terry and Shawn.  He loved his family and was especially proud of his son and grandchildren, volunteering as assistant coach for soccer and baseball and supporting and attending other activities.

Dan loved to read, and especially enjoyed history of all kinds, and was an active member of the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table.  He was a gifted and accomplished musician with violin or fiddle (depending upon the type of music) being his primary instrument of choice.  Danny was compassionate and generous with his time and talents and often spent hours teaching music to children or adults and playing at nursing homes and many other venues.  He was an active member of the Huntsville Traditional Music Association encouraging other musicians and traditional and folk music.  Dan also played regularly at many venues in three different bands (Milltowne, Blue Velvet, and Stillwater Bluegrass).

In his youth, he performed with the Tulsa Youth Orchestra and the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, performing in "Oklahoma" and other musicals.  More recently and locally, he provided music in plays including the "Stephen Foster Story" at the Renaissance Theatre, and "The Wizard of Oz" at Randolph School.

Danny had many friends in all kinds of circles because he always respected others and had such a vast and varied knowledge which allowed him to converse with anybody.  Danny served his country during the Vietnam War specializing in Hawk Missile Radar repair.  He completed a Bachelor of Science - Nondestructive Testing Engineer from Athens State University and worked as a Quality Engineer at Beowulf Corporation, United Space Boosters, Hughes Aircraft, Raytheon, and then as a contractor at Marshall Space Flight Center supporting Safety and Mission Assurance on the Space Shuttle Program.  He built a kit Shelby Cobra in his spare time and enjoyed driving on sunny Spring and Fall days.