Dan Ellis Celebration of Life Set June 7 At Veterans Memorial Center
By Space Coast Daily // May 28, 2015
passed away May 24
Danny Ray Ellis, 55, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2015, at his home in Cape Canaveral, Florida with his loving wife Susan Jerome by his side.
Danny was born in Huntingdon, Tennessee to Loyd and Bonnie Ellis and was raised in Peoria, Illinois.
A veteran of the Desert Storm campaign, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a Computer Programmer and Cryogenics Specialist until his retirement in 1998.
Danny built a second career with his business, Kokopeli Music, specializing in Wedding and Party Planning, Karaoke Music and more, as well as Kokopeli Trading where he would sell unique, one of a kind handmade Indian Art.
Part Cherokee and part Irish, Dan was known as Kokopeli Dan in his Native American circle and was frequently invited to sell and trade at exclusive Pow-Wows and other Native American festivals.
Kokopeli Music eventually branched out into the Fair and Festival Market where he and his wife Susan became the performing Duo “Reverend Danny and Sister Blues.”
Together with Danny’s Blues Car they opened for legendary artists such as Charlie Daniels, KC and the Sunshine Band and more.
For more than 15 years, Danny Ellis was a major DJ at some of Brevard’s largest outdoor events, including Mardi Gras, Oktoberfest, Space Coast State Fair – and performed at many restaurants, clubs and venues throughout Florida.
In 2009 he opened the Computer Care Clinic on Merritt Island, but Danny’s true love was singing. He was an avid Blues fan and released his CD Danny Blues in 2013.
Danny enjoyed nothing more than a microphone in his hands and a crowd of people to entertain. His last performances was at Hard Rock Live in Universal Studios when he released his CD Fall 2013 and then recently accompanied his wife Susan (performer Suzan’ah Free) opening for the Beach Boys Jan. 2015.
Danny is survived by his wife Susan; children Sean Ellis and Larissa Ellis of Peoria, Illinois; and Kassidy Ellis and Keanna Ellis of Melbourne, Florida; four step children, James “Mac” Jerome, Blake Jerome and William Jerome of Cape Canaveral; as well as daughter Jessica Jerome Thompson of Austin TX. He was also blessed with seven grandchildren.
Danny’s Celebration of Life! will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 7 at the Veterans Memorial Center, located at 400 Sykes Creek Parkway on Merritt Island.
