Danny Lee Irvin

Danny Lee Irvin

July 26, 1952 – May 5, 2021

Danny Lee Irvin passed away with his beloved wife, Nancy, and their faithful canine companion, Tinkerbell, at his side at Southview Acres Care Center in West St. Paul, Minnesota on May 5, 2021.

Danny was born to Evelyn L. & Fred J. Irvin of Lafayette, Indiana on July 26, 1952. The family moved to Oregon where Danny’s first jobs included helping farmers harvest hay, fruits, and vegetables. After graduating from Hillsboro High School, he enlisted and proudly served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam era. Upon return from the Army, Danny began working in the lumber mill industry. He retired from Stimson Lumber after nearly 30 years as a heavy equipment operator.

An avid fisherman, Danny spent countless hours on his boat fishing sturgeon, salmon, and trout. Some of his favorite fishing spots included the Columbia River, Diamond Lake, Odell Lake, and Henry Hagg Lake. He also enjoyed searching for clams and crabs in the Pacific Ocean bays between Geribaldi and Newport, Oregon. His favorite fishing companions were his dogs because, he said, they never complained or begged him to stop and go home. It seemed every dog fell overboard once but never more than once.

In 2001 Danny married Nancy Kopp (nee Warman), and he was more than happy to share his favorite pastime with her and her family. He was an easy going and patient teacher who would bait hooks, take the reel when needed, and spend many hours completing all the necessary tasks that precede and follow fishing trips. When his health no longer allowed him to maintain his own fishing boat, he and Nancy began renting boats to continue sharing time on the water whenever they could.

Danny loved animals of all sorts and he and Nancy raised many pets including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ducks, chickens, turkeys, ferrets, goats, and fish. If there was an animal in his hands, his smile would light up the room, especially his favorite dogs Katie, Jenni, Sargent Pepper, Amanda, and Tinkerbell

Danny and Nancy enjoyed many great adventures together. They once took a 5000 mile road trip from Oregon to Minnesota (to meet newborn grandson Henry) to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, up the California coast to take in Golden Gate Bridge and the great Redwood forests, and then back home to McMinnville, Oregon. Other jaunts included 4 day trips to the mountain lakes just after spring ice out, date night trips to the Pacific Coast, and a trip to Mexico that included fishing for tuna on a chartered boat.

In 2020, Danny readily moved with Nancy from Oregon to Minnesota to be near her family for love and support as his health declined.  Danny is survived by wife, Nancy; stepsons, Jason (Antonio) Kopp, Jonah (Heidi) Kopp, and Cody (Ashley) Kopp; step-grandchildren, Nora, Henry, and Lucy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Fred.  A private ceremony with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be held in June 3, 2021.