Daniel Bruce Rayburn

Former Louisiana native Daniel Bruce (Danny, Dano) Rayburn was born January 7, 1947 in Knoxville, Tennessee to Troy and Alice Rayburn, and passed away peacefully in Olympia, Washington, surrounded by family on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at age 71. He was a 1965 graduate of Fair Park High School and attended the University of Louisiana Monroe (when it was Northeast Louisiana State College), and was a longtime church member of Westview Christian Church. Danny was a lettered athlete throughout school and continued his love for sports even into middle-age, playing softball and umpiring. He worked hard his entire life, until he retired only a few years ago. His work included management with the old Woolworth Woolco Company, Fred’s stores, and Walgreens. In his earlier career, he spent years as a tile-layer and a flooring salesman for which he received numerous sales awards. He eventually retired working in the oil industry during the Haynesville Shale Era. He loved people, animals, music, food, game shows, social media, word search puzzles, avoiding doctors for sure, and just being a happy-go-lucky kind of a guy. He was always happy and kind to everyone and wanted everyone to be and feel the same. He purposely chose to avoid speaking ill of anyone, and preferred to only build others up because that is who he naturally was. He and Judy lived in the Lynbrook Subdivision for decades in the same house in which they raised three children and numerous dogs, cats, rabbits, and quail. They often spent time gardening for leisure. Dementia became a part of his life a few years ago, and even then he remained happy. Once his wife passed away (three years ago), he moved in with his oldest stepson in Olympia, a place he had visited and loved. He loved his home and having small children around whom he could “grandfather” on a regular basis. All youth knew him as Papaw. Dependent on a scooter in public, hardly able to walk, and with advanced dementia, he was still able to go on his first and last cruise with his family to Alaska and Canada! While on the cruise, he actually got out of his scooter and tore up the dance floor for a few minutes! He loved to tell others how proud he was of his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and other family members – even as his mind deteriorated. He tried to be the best father figure he could be for his stepchildren and beyond. To them, he was the best stepfather God could have sent them. No matter the struggle, he always provided for them, and tried to lead a good Christian life, being a loving husband to their mother as well. Struggling with breathing issues caused him to be mostly lethargic, unable to take a step or two without getting winded. On Father’s Day, June 17, 2018, as Mark and Yolanda picked him up to take him to church, they noticed his breathing was more labored than normal, so they took him to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. While Mark and Yolanda were filling out paperwork, his heart stopped as he waited in a wheelchair next to them. A very alert nurse noticed this and got him straight into the back where staff revived him. The week he spent in critical care included daily attempts to get him to breathe on his own without a ventilator. His body had declined too far and he simply could not live on his own – without life support. Some family were able to fly in and be with him one last time on this earth. Family members from far away sent messages which were whispered in his ear to comfort and calm him, and it worked remarkably well. As he transitioned from this life into eternity, he listened to his favorite upbeat music and smiled a lot – just like he loved to do through life. It was actually a beautiful departure. He simply closed his eyes, and his earthly body gently went to sleep, so calmly. A short prayer was offered up as he passed, simply asking, “God, please take care of him now.” He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Gilley Rayburn, and parents, Troy and Alice Rayburn. He leaves behind two children, Darryl (Courtney) Rayburn and Danielle Giovengo (Joey); two sisters, Louise (Bobby) King of Baytown, Texas, and Sandra Stewart (Butch) of Shreveport; three stepchildren, Jeff (Stephanie) Adams of Olympia, Mark (Yolanda) Adams of Rainier, Washington, and Yvette (Mike) Terrell of Shreveport; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, and more who loved him, dearly. Please join us for a Celebration of Life service that will be held at Westview Christian Church in Shreveport, on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at 10:00 a,m. If you would like to give any honorary gifts, please do so to Westview Christian Church, 7188 Greenwood Road, Shreveport, LA 71119.