J.J. Danz was born November 17, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois to Edwin and Jane Danz. He grew up on a small dairy farm where he attended a one room school house for his first 4 years of school. The family moved to Mesa, Washington in the summer of 1957 where they developed a farm unit in Block 19. J.J. attended schools in Mesa and Connell where he graduated from Connell High School in May 1965. He was drafted into the Army where he served two years and returned to farm with his father in 1968. He married Nancy Lee Darrington in February 1969 and they raised two sons: Steven J and Christopher J. Nancy died in 2010.

J.J. farmed many crops from sugar beets in the early years, seed crops including radish, carrot, onion, green beans and later became a corn farmer. He went through 57 harvest seasons in his short lifetime. Guess you could say farming was his profession.

J.J. was a man of faith and a longtime member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Basin City. He served as an Elder of the church for many years.

He married Judith Kinne in June 7, 2014. They traveled half way around the world to Australia, many trips to the NFR in Las Vegas. They were sponsors at the Benton Franklin Rodeo for years and loved attending the rodeo. And also the Basin City Freedom Rodeo.

J.J. enjoyed quite a few outside activities such as snowmobiling in northern Idaho, Diamond Lake Oregon, Yellowstone Park, Montana, and Canada. He was also a skier. He really enjoyed many ski places in Washinton and Montana with friends. He loved working with the Andrewjeski Percherons at the state fair and parades. Where he discovered the horses were more work than farming. He wasn't a fisherman but he and Judy made a trip to Alaska where he caught a 400 lb. halibut. He did one epic white water rafting trip down the Colorado River.

J.J.'s life was farming but enjoyed serving on the board of directors of South Columbia Basin Irrigation District. He traveled many places with the board members – Washington DC, Texas, Midwest, Arizona, California. He also served on the Columbia Basin Hydropower branch. He had a vision to see the Columbia Basin Project completed to everyone's benefit.

J.J. is survived by his wife Judith Danz on the family farm near Mesa. One son Christopher (Kathy) Danz of Maple Valley, WA. Daughter in law Icyle Danz of Mesa, three siblings: Sylvia (Steve) Halverson of Pasco, WA, Louise (Dave) Whitemarsh of Richland, WA, Roger (Pamela) Danz of Mesa, WA. And his special unofficial daughter Laura VanderMeer of Mesa, WA. 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

J.J. was preceded in death by his son Steven J Danz and parents Edwin and Jane Danz.

A funeral service will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2505 W 27th, Kennewick, WA on February 28 at 10:30 am. Donations can be made to the Kadlec Tri City Cancer Center, 7350 W Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, WA.