Danny O'Barr

Jun 12, 1947 -

Dec 30, 2025

Danny Ray O'Barr was born June 12, 1947, in Mesa, Arizona, to Ruby Lee Horne O'Barr and Benjamin Arthur O'Barr. He was the sixth of seven children. He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings: June Starks, Joseph O'Barr, Jeana Smith, Dixie Hawley, and Donald O'Barr. He is survived by one sister, Dianna (Stuart) Quist of Mesa, Arizona. As a young teenager, he helped his mother babysit many of his nieces and nephews, who developed a lifelong affection for their "Unca Danny." Dan lived in Mesa, Arizona, for 26 years; Gilbert, Arizona, for 10 years; Eagle River, Alaska, for 2 years; and Wasilla, Alaska, for 39 years.

On July 23, 1965, Dan married Gretchen Dalzen. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July of last year. Together they raised eight children, all of whom survive him: Katy (John) Smith of Yakima, Washington; Nancy O'Barr Moustafa (Walid), of Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey; Sally (Gilbert) Munoz of Stevenson, Washington; Danny Jr. (Connie) O'Barr of Lewis Center, Ohio; Bonny Salsbery of Whitefish, Montana; Johnny (Heidi) O'Barr of Pflugerville, Texas; Benny O'Barr (Chris) of Dallas, Texas; and Molly (Elvis) Bicharri of Reading, England. Dan and Gretchen were blessed with 22 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Dan was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many church callings, including Stake Young Men Presidency, Ward Scoutmaster, Young Men teacher, Stake Employment Specialist, and Primary teacher. He also volunteered in other ways, such as helping build Camp Kenyon in Arizona and serving as a DJ for youth dances.

Dan had a lifelong fascination with radio communications that began in childhood, when he received a crystal radio set and hid under the covers late at night tinkering with it. He later obtained a CB license (KOX6907) and, several years after moving to Alaska, became a licensed amateur (ham) radio operator with the call sign WL7BD. He ultimately acquired the vanity call sign KL7DR, by which he was best known. After moving to Alaska, Dan served as president of the local ham radio club, MARA, and as Communications Director for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race prior to the use of satellite phones. He also joined the Alaska State Defense Force, where he helped establish communications during the deployment to Valdez following 9/11.

Dan was an avid gardener, farmer, and arborist. While living in Gilbert, Arizona, he maintained a mini-farm and planted more than an acre of fruit trees. He enjoyed experimenting with cross-pollination, once growing watermelons weighing more than 50 pounds. He raised nearly every crop suited to Arizona's climate and also raised beef cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys.

As a young man, Dan developed a strong interest in varmint calling and hunting and served for a time as Secretary of the Arizona State Varmint Callers Association. A lifetime member of the NRA and a certified gun safety instructor, he trained dozens of young people in the safe handling of firearms through his work as both an instructor and a Boy Scout leader.

After graduating from Westwood High School, Dan pursued a career as varied as his interests. One of his first jobs was as a radio technician for the Arizona Highway Patrol. He loved working on radios and installing them in patrol cars but did not enjoy climbing microwave communications towers. He later founded Bullseye Electric, his own contracting business, which operated successfully for several years. During this time, he also helped with the remodeling of the Mesa Arizona Temple.

During an economic downturn in 1983, Dan traveled to Juneau, Alaska, for summer work. In early 1984, he relocated to Anchorage, and his family joined him that June. He worked for Independent Electric, then for Veco on the North Slope, before being employed for many years with Doyon Drilling. His final position was as the State Electrical Inspector on the Alaska Pipeline.

Dan lived for many years with arthritis and endured numerous joint surgeries, despite otherwise excellent health. Four years ago, he became critically ill with COVID-19 and often said he should not have survived, believing the Lord had granted him a few extra years.

Dan passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 30, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 24, 2026, with a viewing and visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 821 E. Dellwood Road (corner of Bogard and Dellwood), Wasilla, Alaska.