Danny Ray Eldred

Danny Ray Eldred 69, of Ballinger, Texas, was surrounded by his loved ones when he went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 25, 2023.

Danny is survived by his wife Leta Jan Eldred of 45 years, two sons: Danny Shane Eldred and Joseph Aaron Eldred, Daughter-In-Law, and wife to Joseph: Alexis Anona Eldred, Brother: Mack Eugene Eldred, two sisters: Martha Ann Whitaker and Shirley Louise Davis, 5 grandchildren: Christopher James Eldred, Michael Lee Eldred, Brylee Autumn Eldred, Tucker Ray Eldred, Jaeton Todd Eldred, and multiple nephews and nieces.

He was met at the gates of heaven by his father: Frank Eugene Eldred, mother: Ruby Samantha Eldred, and brothers: Frank Edward Eldred and Walter Larry Eldred.

It was determined at a very early age that Danny was destined to be a stubborn old mule. At the age of 16 months, he was diagnosed with Polio and spent a lot of his diaper years in an iron lung with the uncertainty of whether he would ever walk. Well… he took off running! If he was not running after girls or running the football for Talpa Centennial and Mozell, he was setting a school record of 9.98 seconds for the 100-yard dash. After high school, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, and in 1974 he joined the Army with his best friend Dan Baker. Danny served as an Army Ranger in the 1st Cavalry Division until he was honorably discharged on August 13, 1977. 6 Days later, on August 20, after all the years of running, Danny married the love of his life, Leta Jan O’Dell, the only woman to stop him in his tracks. Although the running stopped, the stubbornness did not. Danny lived through many adversities including burned and broken limbs, gangrene, and cancer. The drive he had that kept him going was his family. He lived for his family! He would spend hours talking and hanging out with brother Mack, watching football with his sons Joseph and Shane, and spending as much time as he could with his grandkids.

Danny had many accomplishments in his long and very fulfilled life, but his greatest accomplishment was his family. He was a father figure to many when he did not have to be. We know that his stubbornness continues in heaven by arguing with his brother Edward over whose car was faster with an ice-cold beer in hand but is also carrying a smile on his face because he is finally able to fish with his daddy again.

Danny-Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Friend; you will be greatly missed, and we will continue to carry on the legacy you created.