Danny Ray Singleton, 54, departed this life Oct. 28, 2009, at 8 a.m., at the Providence Hospital in Everett, Wash., as a  result of complications of heart bypass surgery.

Danny was born May 5, 1955, in Avery County, N.C., the son of Ray Dant Singleton and his wife, Janice Marline Young-Singleton. He came to Hamilton, Wash., with his parents and three siblings at a very young age. Their first home was in the Soren Cabins on the west side of Hamilton. Later, Danny moved to Sedro-Woolley, where he attended school until joining the U. S. Navy at the age of seventeen.

While in the Navy, he attained his high School diploma,  along with electrical training, while being stationed on the Kitty Hawk. Danny was discharged in 1977, returning home where he met and married Marilyn Rose Bates on July 8, 1977, in Hamilton.

Danny soon went to work in the powerhouse at what is now known as Northern State Multi-Service Center, the former Northern State Hospital, eventually rising to the position of General Manager, and was employed there for 30 years this month.

Danny was an expert body and paint man. He had restored many antique cars in the valley. He was also a former Hamilton councilman and volunteer fireman for the town of Hamilton in the ’80s.

Danny is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of the family home north of Sedro-Woolley; his daughter, Kimberley Singleton of Sedro-Woolley; two stepsons, Shawn Ray Smith of Hamilton and Jerry Earl Smith of Everett; his stepfather, Francis Cousins of Iowa; and sisters Cindy Rust of Kent, Wash., Trina Jean Matteson of Mount Vernon, and Michelle Cousins-Williams of Clear Lake, Washington. He is survived also by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jim and Carol Bates of Hamilton; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tim Bates and Nicholis (Marge) Bates of Hamilton, and Dennis (Karen) Allison of Sedro-Woolley, Wash.; one granddaughter, Sheyanne Singleton of Sedro-Woolley; and four stepgrandchildren, Cody and Jordan Smith of Hamilton, Draven Smith of Concrete, and Skye Smith of Mount Vernon. Danny also is survived by two half-brothers and one half-sister in North Carolina, and his stepbrothers, Don and Glen Latting of Sedro-Woolley, Wash., in addition to numerous nieces and nephews in Skagit County.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Dant Singleton; his mother, Janice Cousins; and two brothers, Grant and Michael Singleton.

Danny will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Services are pending through Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley.