Obituary of Danny Ray Toon

Danny Ray Toon, 74, of Cooper, Texas, is spending Christmas with Jesus this year. He was born September 16, 1944, in Cooper, Texas, and died December 18,  in Paris, Texas, after a relentless and short-lived battle with dementia, He is preceded in death by his parents, Dan Moody and Alice Toon and a brother David Toon. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lydia; sons Danny Toon, Jr. of Snyder, Texas, and Damon Toon and wife Kortni of Cooper; daughters Leslee Day and husband Jon and Brooke Johnston and husband Blake both of Midland, Texas; "adopted" son Scott Reynolds of Van, Texas; grandchildren Dylan Toon, Peyton Day, Zach Day, Audrey Toon, Halle Toon, Cooper Johnston, Laney Kate Johnston, Hayes Johnston, and Davis Day; one sister Delores Cregg and husband Jimmy of Mt. Pleasant, Texas; two brothers Brad Toon and wife Margarett of Sulphur Springs, Texas and Greg Toon and wife Pam of Cooper; in addition to many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. 

He served in the Army National Guard and attended East Texas State University in Commerce. He served on the Cooper City Council, the first Maroon and Gray scholarship committee, and volunteered at the Hope House early on in its origin. After working for American National Insurance for 35 years as an agent, a sales manager, a district manager and a regional representative, he and Lydia moved to Midland, Texas, where he enjoyed his retirement job as Private Investigator and Security guard. He was an active member of Cooper First United Methodist Church for 20 years where he served in many capacities, including 17 years as the Sunday school teacher for the Disciples class. While in Midland, he was a member of the Midland First United Methodist Church where he was active in the Seekers Sunday school class and the First Impressions team. After moving back to his beloved Delta county, he joined Charleston First United Methodist Church where he was a member at the time of his death. 

He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Cooper Bulldogs, competing when he was young and watching and coaching his children and grandchildren over the years. He also loved the outdoors--hunting, fishing, camping, as well as gardening and taking care of his animals. His grandchildren lovingly called him Old McDonald's Farm. They loved the farm and he loved the grandchildren. 

Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 22 at the Cooper First United Methodist Church and the celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m. with the Reverends Henry Suche presiding and Lyn Phillips assisting. Memorials may be made to the Delta County Public Library or the Maroon and Gray Foundation.