Danny Joe Ledgerwood was born December 7, 1944, in Oregon County, Missouri, to John Leo and Iris Irene (Upshaw) Ledgerwood. Danny was raised on the Shannon/Oregon County line at Spring Creek. He attended Hunter Hill School in his early years and later attended Birch Tree High School, where he graduated in 1962. He was the oldest son of seven children, and hard work was instilled in him at a very early age, by working in his daddy’s sawmill.
Danny went to work for Frisco Railway in 1974 and retired after thirty years of service as Track Foreman. He loved his job and coworkers and was described by many as being extremely humble and respectful.
He was blessed with two children; Patty Sue, from his first marriage, and Adam Douglas, from his second marriage. In Danny’s later years, he loved going fishing and anxiously awaited deer camp with his hunting buddies, and working on the tractor during hay season.
Every morning he could be found at the coffee shop, in downtown Fordland, Missouri, telling whoppers and goofing around with his buddies. On the weekends, you could find him cruising in his ’51 Ford Vicky (always driving the speed limit). He loved his hometown of Birch Tree and never missed the yearly Alumni Banquet where he met up with old friends, reminiscing and telling stories from the good ole days. Danny always “lit up a room when he walked in,” he was known for his infectious smile, ornery grin, and maybe a cuss word or two. He never met a stranger and had a heart of gold. He loved his family and friends with all of his heart and would give anyone the shirt off his back.
Danny is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Golda Lee and Juanita Louise; one brother, Rodney Mike; and one brother-in-law, David Tune.
Survivors include two brothers, Donnie (Beverly) Ledgerwood and Larry (Kaye) Ledgerwood all of Birch Tree, MO; one sister, Diana Tune of Willow Springs, MO; one daughter, Patty (Ed) McLean of Loxahatchee, FL; and one son, Adam (Tara) Ledgerwood of Mountain View, MO. Danny was graced with six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends, as well as his second family, the Suter’s, from Fordland.
Danny was one of a kind and will be missed by so many, as he touched everyone that knew him. His name will live on through his newest granddaughter, Ayla “Dani-Jo” Ledgerwood.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2022, at Yarber Mortuary, Birch Tree, Missouri, with Randy Dalton officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m., also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Birch Tree, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
