A memorial is planned tomorrow afternoon for longtime North Delridge resident Dan “Danny” Murphy. His family shares this remembrance:

Dan (“Danny”) Murphy, a.k.a. W. C. A. Keeler Wacet, longtime resident of North Delridge in West Seattle, passed away unexpectedly in his home on November 14.

Danny was born in Seattle on December 9, 1947. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School, where he excelled in mathematics and journalism, and was co-editor of the school newspaper. While attending high school he created his own newspaper, a satirical publication titled “The Swamp Fly.” During high school Danny worked and volunteered in the broadcasting rooms of KOL and KJR radio stations. He attended the University of Washington, studying advanced mathematics and Russian. At night he attended Broadcasting School. He became active in the “alternative” movement in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and spent time in San Francisco. He was a founding member and writer for the ’60s Seattle underground paper “The Helix.”

A traumatic life event in his early 20s triggered a schizophrenic break and he withdrew, surrounding himself with an eclectic world of his own making. His brilliant, creative mind never rested. He continued to write prolifically, creating an estimate of over 10,000 hand-written pages. He pursued photography in-depth, with a particular focus on chronicling evolving gentrification. He enjoyed being an early innovator of electronic music.

His memory was astounding: He was able to sing the complete verses of over 100 songs. Additionally, neighbors bestowed upon him the title of “Delridge Historian” for his remarkable knowledge bank of local data. Most of all, he loved to make people laugh, taking much pleasure in bringing a smile with his masterful play on words.

Danny’s known survivors include his sister, Carolyn Murphy; cousin, Charla Jennings; aunt, Vernita Jennings; nieces, Yemaya Diethelm and Maitetxo Imaz; family friends Jean Diethelm and Hector Najera; and his many friends within the community. We will all miss him greatly.

A service will be held Monday, November 26, at 1:00 pm at Acacia Funeral Home, 14951 Bothell Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98155 – (206) 362-5525.

Remembrances may be sent to the Meals on Wheels Program – 4217 SW Oregon, Seattle 98116 – 206.932.4044.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to Mr. B. Bradford Kogut, attorney.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)