Daniel Robert Denton (Grover) 

July 7, 1962 - March 11, 2024

Daniel R Denton, 61, of Hillsboro, OR passed away peacefully in his home while sleeping, March 11, 2024. His family and friends are deeply saddened from this sudden loss. 

Born July 7, 1962 in Canoga Park, California, Daniel was preceded in death by father Robert Denton Jr and mother Linda Grover. He is survived by step-father Roy Grover; his sister Debbie, her sons Sean and Nate and their families, her daughters Dani and Chloe and their families; half-siblings Rob, Christine, Anissa, Denise, Jim and Will and their families; step-sisters Michelle and Wendy and their families; uncles and aunts Ron, Michael, Jeannie and Janet and their families; his Smallwood community family; and long time friend Bennett. 

Daniel was loved by all who knew him. He was a proud uncle, a caring brother, a devoted son and appreciative friend. Always attentive, curious and knowledgeable of many things, making him a gifted conversationalist. He was an avid reader of literary classics and poetry, acquiring an impressive collection of both over the years. A true Renaissance Man. He also enjoyed a wide variety of music from Show Tunes to Punk Rock and was the best DJ to have on road trips. It was a dream come true when he got to see his favorite musician Elvis Costello in concert for his 53rd birthday, icing on the cake to get a tour t-Shirt! He had a deep appreciation of the Preforming Arts and was moved watching his niece Chloe follow in his footsteps seeing her perform on stage in her high school musicals. He loved going on camping adventures throughout his life with family, always "trying" to out-fish his mom. Mostly, Daniel valued time with family, always joyfully proclaiming “family matters!”   

He was a graduate from Beaverton High School, where, under the guidance of beloved Theater Arts Director, James Erickson, Daniel thrived. From a very young age Daniel found endless entertainment through his imagination. He was constantly drawing and creating characters, dreaming up stories and writing. Mr. E provided top notch opportunities to channel and grow these gifts through acting, singing, collaborating, leading peers as Thespian President and traveling to London, England with his Drama Club to see plays. To earn money for the London trip, Daniel put his staging skills to work at Lipman's Dept store creating displays. He was also able to perform and sit for photos as their Cinnamon Bear during Christmas time with the kids, including his tiny nephew Sean! His family was delighted to watch his confidence and talent blossom over those years doing things that he enjoyed so very much. At the end of high school Daniel was elated to receive a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.

The summer after completing his first year at the academy, Daniel traveled to New York City and San Francisco then home again where, unfortunately, mental health concerns lead to a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, a brain disease that tends to show up in males on the brink of adulthood. Medication helped but with that help denial often follows, leading many, including Daniel, to discontinue meds. It was a rollercoaster in earlier years. Eventually, with strong support of family and a solid Mental Health Care system in place at that time, Daniel became motivated to stay on his meds and settled into new housing at Hillsboro’s Smallwood Apartments. It's a community who looks after each other, understanding what each other is going through and a place Daniel called home for about 40 years.

Although Daniel's symptoms lessened with medication, he was still bothered by voices in his head and seeing hallucinations to various degrees through each day until the end of his life. In spite of this, Daniel admirably chose to be resilient. He fought every day to live his best life… and he did. It was quite an accomplishment indeed to live as such a loving, caring and considerate person. He was a gentle soul, a person all were happy to know. 

Daniel was hopeful to experience a cure for Schizophrenia someday but knew without a doubt, when God called him home he would be leaving the voices behind.

Your loved ones miss you Daniel and will see you in Heaven! 

*The family invites you to join “Team Daniel” in NAMI Walks, a fund raiser for National Alliance on Mental Illness. Donate or Walk In Honor of Daniel, see details above and below.  

**Private family gatherings will be held to celebrate Daniel's life. Please share your photos and stories in “Tributes” for all to appreciate what a special human Daniel was.