Obituary

Danny Joe Dobbs, 80, of Cleveland, Oklahoma passed peacefully on August 26, 2026. Born in Coweta on March 17, 1946 to Hazel (née Collins) and Edd Dobbs, he grew up as the middle child in a family of seven. From his parents, Danny developed a deep affection and respect for animals; Roscoe, a large reddish-brown dog, was his childhood favorite. With his older brother and cousins, he played junior league for Campbell’s Flying G Ranch as a third baseman, and he attended Sand Springs public schools for all twelve grades. As a class of 1964 student, he excelled in art and illustration, particularly liked woodshop, and was a founding member of Charles Page High’s chapter of the National Honors Society.

After graduation, Danny responded to his country’s call for active duty by reporting at Fort Sill and enlisting in the army. While serving in Vietnam, he exchanged letters with Susan Diane Duniphin, also a Charles Page High School alumnus. During a hair appointment at Artistic Salon, Hazel asked her stylist Susan to write to her son. Susan began a lively correspondence; one letter included an original teddy bear drawing that she painted in acrylic. Danny carried it inside his helmet throughout combat. After completing a tour in Vietnam, he made the rank of specialist, class E-4 and was honorably discharged with commendations for his service. Months later, Susan and Danny married on May 31, 1968, at First Christian Church in Sand Springs.

A newlywed, Danny took a job at Fibercast, and after a couple years, joined Sheffield Steel where he worked in the post shop and later in the furnace as a strand operator. He was a proud member of the United Steel Workers and drew satirical cartoons for his union chapter’s monthly newsletter. Among his fellow workers, he was known for his dependable work ethic, sense of humor, and always saying “yes” when a crewmate asked him to cover their shift. He retired from the steel mill after almost 40 years.

Danny was a member of First Christian Church. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, driving his green Pontiac GTO (affectionately called “The Goat”), and playing Little Jimmy Dickens’ songs on the autoharp. An avid baseball fan, he shared his passion for the game with family by frequently taking them to watch the Tulsa Drillers.

Danny was predeceased by his parents Hazel and Edd, eldest brother Jimmy Dale, older sister Ella Dean, younger brother Timmey Lee, and cousins whom he dearly loved. He is survived by his cherished wife of fifty-eight years Susan Diane Duniphin Dobbs, daughters Holly Kathleen and Jennifer Synobia, grandson Thomas Liess and his father Stefan, daughter-niece Stephanie Dawn Dobbs, grandnephew-son Brandon Michael Chapman, niece Tami Dobbs-Ogle, nephew Terry Dobbs, nephew Jamie Palkovich and his wife Angie, great-great-grandniece Abi “Pip,” a host of loving cousins, close relatives and beloved friends.

Danny’s devotion to animals continued throughout his life, and his furry children, especially Taffy and Cubby, dearly miss him.

He will be remembered for how much he loved family, his gentleness and kindness, and making everyone’s day brighter by laughing, “Oh, goofy gosh!” at life’s curveballs.

Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home will coordinate a memorial service honoring Danny’s life at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery in Sand Springs on Saturday, September 12, at 10 a.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers that gifts be sent to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Danny’s memory.