Danny Udell Hurtado
Click to Enlarge Photo
Click to Enlarge Photo
July 14th, 1937 - April 15th, 2019
From: Alton, MO
Visitation: 6pm-8pm Thursday, April 18, 2019
Clary Funeral Home - Alton, MO
Funeral: 2pm Friday, April 19, 2019
Alton Assembly of God Church - Alton, MO
Burial: Huddleston Cemetery - Alton, MO
Danny Udell Hurtado, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on April 15, 2019 at his home in Alton, Missouri. He was surrounded by loved ones as he took his last breaths here on Earth. He passed peacefully, listening to family members read him scriptures from the Bible about Heaven’s pearly gates and gold paved streets.

Danny was born July 14, 1937 in Memphis, TN to Chester and Lula Bell (Hedrick) Hurtado. Danny was one of five children. His siblings were Fred, Bobby Jean, Ronnie, and Margaret. Danny grew up in Memphis, TN. He often told stories about growing up in the same neighborhood as Elvis Presley. Danny and Elvis were close to the same age, and according to his stories, Elvis was a childhood friend of his. Whether or not Danny’s tall tales of swimming in the Mississippi river with Elvis are true is still up in the air. He did however convince his grandchildren that he was telling the truth.

Danny joined the United States Navy in 1955. He served his country during the Korean Conflict. Danny was able to travel to many different places during his time served in the military. His family often circled around and listened to him tell stories about visiting faraway places like Hawaii, Korea, China, and Japan. He frequently brought up how he loved Japanese Akadama wine, and you could almost imagine its sweet red taste as he would close his eyes and describe it.

On December 29, 1965, Danny married Janet (Norman) Hurtado. Fifty-three years later, he has proven to have lived up to the promises he made Janet on their wedding day. The day Danny died, his commitment to Janet was as strong as the day he married her: 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 500 houses, and a million miles later. Janet was the love of Danny’s life.

Danny’s family was his most prized possession. Danny spent his entire life working to teach his loved ones the value of a strong work ethic and a loving heart. Danny had six children: (Danny) Udell Hurtado Jr, Kimberlin Hurtado Palmer, Bill Hurtado and his wife Rita, Brad Hurtado, Robbie Hurtado, and Marty Hurtado; and 11 grandchildren: Jodell Underwood, Tonya Willard, Tara McEntire, Charli Roberts, Mekia Hurtado, Cora Hurtado, Kimberly Johnson, Kyle Hurtado, Kristie Harrell, Bethany Waggoner, Brittany Hubbard and Guymon Hurtado. Danny also had the privilege of spending his later years spoiling his 16 great grandchildren who he believed were the most precious babies who ever existed. Danny served as a loving father and grandfather to all of his kids and grandkids. He even picked up a few extras along the way! Joe Dale and Pat Gamblin always held a special place in Danny’s heart. He also thought of Cathy Myers as his daughter and treated her four children, Jeff, Greg, Tony, and Danielle, as if they were his very own grandchildren. To Danny, family was family, whether you shared the same blood or not.

Danny worked as a truck driver throughout his entire life. He spent many hours driving across the country. One can only imagine the sights he must have seen! In his older years, many people tried to get him to give up trucking and come home. However, every time Danny would try to stop driving, his health would deteriorate. Danny was truly his healthiest and happiest self behind the wheel of an eighteen wheeler. An occasional stop at a casino along the way to his next destination may have helped to further the happiness he felt on the road. Many people often made the comment that Danny would drive a truck until the day he died. And in fact, at 81 years old, Danny drove a truck until his health forced him to finally hand over his keys three weeks before his death.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Lula Bell; his brothers, Fred, Ronnie, and Bobbie Jean; his sister, Margaret; his granddaughter, Kimberly; and his son, Robbie. Danny spent his final days surrounded by his loved ones. He took time before his death to make things right with the Lord and even re-dedicated his life to God not long before he passed away. He also had a wish to renew his vows to Janet before he died. With the help of family and friends, Danny was able to make that wish come true. Today, Danny is in Heaven walking those streets of gold he pictured right before he died. Or maybe he’s driving those golden streets in a royal blue W900 Kenworth decked out with chrome and 8 inch straight pipes . He’s got Robbie following him and they’re headed out with their next load. He’s looking down from Heaven and singing “Roll on family, roll on crew, roll on momma like I asked you to do, and roll on 18 wheeler roll on.”

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