JORDAN DANIEL MICHAEL

To have met Danny Michael is to have met a firecracker of a man. To have known Danny Michael is to have witnessed a full-on, prime-time, no-expenses-spared, finale-from-start-to-finish fireworks display of a man. Danny Michael vibrated with so much seemingly endless energy, love, and care for the people around him—it’s just about impossible for anyone who knew Danny to comprehend how all his passion and brilliance can be so suddenly silent and still. But, man, what a show he put on for those of us lucky enough to have been part of his life. Born & raised in Hamilton, Virginia, Danny was a man of multitudes. He was a husband, a loyal friend, an historian, a philosopher, a black metal drummer, a fervid metal-head, a basketball coach, a comedian, an approachable politico—an impressive human being of the finest sort. He even shook hands and shot the breeze with Lemmy after a Motörhead show. As a voracious student of history and philosophy, he was incredibly well-read and well-spoken. Somehow, he was able to remember nearly everything he'd read or heard and was able to weave those pieces of wisdom seamlessly into conversations. He was an artist in that way. His studies and his practice--and his strong sense of justice--informed his way of life as well as his interactions with others. Danny was a man of precision and excellence, and he encouraged in the most genuine ways all of his friends and family to be inspired that they might take advantage of their opportunity to be precise and excellent themselves. Danny seemed to live to make people find ways to be excited, to be laughing, to be better. As a coach for a number of youth basketball teams, Danny worked hard to impress upon his players that the game of basketball can be a metaphor for life. He offered inspirational messages for his players that included quotations of Aristotle, Leo Tolstoy, Sun Tzu—encouraging his players to explore ways that they might see their practice as a way of being. During the 7th week of Covid shutdowns, Danny wrote to his locked-down team: “No great warrior needs visible competition to motivate themselves. Being a warrior is a lifestyle. It’s getting out everyday and working on your craft for the sheer joy of getting better...On its knees this game is begging all, for the permission to create the next great team. And heed the call we shall, while the common shun the gift our game pleads to give.” Danny finished his message with: “You have your itinerary. Get moving. Much love and respect, -Danny” After retiring from coaching, Danny became a comedian in DC. He pursued his craft as relentlessly as all his other endeavors. He fully dedicated himself not only to honing his own work, but also to nurturing his fellow comedians and their scene—ever the coach and inspirational presence, always pushing those around him to realize their excellence. After all, to know Danny was to know his deep and enduring care for his people. He had a superhuman capacity to bring more and more people into his world, and into his heart. And he worked so hard to bring all those people immense amounts of joy. He probably set world records for saying “proud of you,” sending birthday wishes, and inspiring new & old acquaintances alike to pursue their passions. He was a rare treasure. Danny is survived by his wife, Ariel, his stepson Michael, as well as his mother, sister, father, and countless others who will continue to carry his brilliant glow for as long as they live. To close in Coach Danny’s words: “Every time you increase your standards in any facet of your life, you will indirectly increase your ability and discipline in another area of your life…Everything is interconnected in this world. So—make excellence not only a habit, but an unrelenting conviction.” Danny’s public Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 11th, at 11:30am, at Hope Flower Farm & Winery, in Waterford VA. In lieu of flowers, Danny’s family asks that you make a donation to your favorite cause, or to the Danny Michael Memorial Scholarship. Share condolences with the family www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com

JORDAN DANIEL MICHAEL

July 10, 1981 - July 1, 2025