July 8, 2014 DANIEL D. BARRON 01/11/1956-07/8/2014 Anyone who has ever spent any significant time in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the past 20 years knows that a great loss has occurred with the passing of Danny Barron. Danny was subtly instrumental in ensuring the rebirth of downtown Grand Rapids by connecting diverse groups together. He did so by creating a welcoming community with each drink he made and a friendly wave as he strolled thru his neighborhood of Heritage Hill. Beyond the sequins, beyond the flair, at heart Danny was someone who knew how to connect with people. He had a special talent for making people on the outskirts feel valued. He would learn what was important to each person and use that as a basis for a connection. Danny's life was more that the bartending career that made him legend. He was a band leader, musician, artist, confidant, teacher, hero and best friend. "Sunday- Funday" was his favorite day of the week. Whether he working at Chi-Chi's in the 1980s, TGI Friday's Kentwood in the early 1990's or when he opened Downtown Friday's in 1996, that was the day of the week that everyone came together to visit the Reverend Danny B. Never was there a Sunday he was not present for all his friends, new and old, ready to dole out his message of acceptance served up in your favorite beverage with a sprinkle of flair. Danny polished those skills to the point that it was just his persona by the time he began working at Sundance Grill. His final 6 years of serving his city were filled with old and new friends who sought him out every Sunday for brunch. When he was off duty, he could be found holding court at The Anchor Bar on Bridge Street. He was a fixture for 30 odd years, and it's the first place you looked when you needed council or to celebrate a life event. Danny's journey to Grand Rapids began in his high school marching band in Big Rapids, MI, and then the Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps in the mid-seventies. After attending Ferris State College, he moved to Grand Rapids to work with the color guard of the Coachmen drum corps from 1978 to 1982, and continued teaching many high school marching bands in the area well into the 1990's. Danny was involved in the formation and design of Forte Winter Guard from 1989 to 1992, and went on to influence many members and instructors in marching arts activities. His artistic sense led to the creation of many color guard costumes, flag designs, and graphics associated with the activity he loved so much. He was an avid follower of Winter Guard International and Drum Corps International, and could often be found out in the parking lots watching warm-ups rather than the final productions in the arena or on the field. His creative mind and outside the box thinking were well known and appreciated by all. His close knit community is just beginning to understand the depth and breadth of his influence on the local marching band and service industry communities. He is survived by countless people in the WGI and DCI community and within the Grand Rapids area service industry, as well as 23 known cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Clara A. (Tobolski) Barron in 2005 and his father Clayton Daniel Barron in 2001. A celebration of Danny Barron's life will be held at the Riverside Park band shell on the north side of the park on July 20th 2014 at 3pm, with a reception following at 6pm at the Anchor Bar 447 Bridge Street NW, Grand Rapids, Mi. Memorial donations will be accepted for a tribute at Frederick Meijer Gardens and a scholarship fund benefiting students attending Color Guard and Drum Corp camps.