Danny Allen Redkey

Danny Allen Redkey, 72, born to Harry Redkey and Peggy Merz Redkey Gant, is now singing in the Heavenly Southern Gospel Quartet, after passing away from Service Connected cancer. He gave it a valiant battle, but Agent Orange won this time. Danny spent a life filled with adventure, making and keeping wonderful friends.

Born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, he attended Roosevelt Elementary, Wilson Jr High, and although he graduated from Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, AZ, he was a true Muncie Central Bearcat, having attended MCS for two and a half years.

Danny’s true love was auto racing. He started racing at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, gradually moving to the business side of the sport. When Goodyear got back into Indy Car racing, Danny took the position of Liaison to handle the constant tire testing for both Goodyear and Firestone at Phoenix International Raceway. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, including a year in Vietnam, he attended Arizona State University, graduating in 1974. He then assisted his Dad at Santa Maria Speedway, Santa Maria, California, 1974-75, promoting Sprint Cars and Late Models.
Danny took a break from racing to raise his family, but when his youngest son graduated from high school he began his racing career full time. He was General Manager at Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC, before moving over to Paducah International Raceway, Paducah, KY, acting as Director of Operations. He then was Director of Operations at Florence Motor Speedway, Timmonsville, SC. While there, he and former NASCAR regular Ron Barfield promoted some highly successful Super Truck races. After a brief stint as Assistant Promoter at Huntsville Motor Speedway, Huntsville, AL, he took a few years off to excel at retail sales at Circuit City and Maytag.
At his passing, Danny was President of Eddie Sachs Racing with the goal of fielding a team for the 2018 Indianapolis 500. This position was the highlight of his career in Auto Racing.
Danny leaves behind to cherish his memory his wonderful, loving, care-giving wife, Judy; children, Stacey D’Amato, Lake Havasu, AZ, Curtis (Tina), Corona, CA and A J, Casa Grande, AZ; mother, Peggy, Yellville, AR; brothers, Mike (Sondra) Yorktown, IN and Chris (Tracey) Westminister, MA; sisters, Suzy Williams, Cottonwood, AZ, Janey Stewart (Si) Decatur, IL and Sally Marini, Glendale, AZ, and a wonderful step-son, Stephen (Ann Noelle) Schuler.

He also leaves the mother of his children, Audrey Ventura Rodriguez, Corona Del Mar, CA and six grandchildren, Zachary, Sydney, Camesha, Jeremy, Chad and Faith.

Danny had many life-long friends, including but not limited to Bob Cope, John Norman, Wayne Ott, Paul Shackleton, Chuck and John Scharf, Jonna Reece, Steve Knott, Mike Sickler and the late Jim Sickler.

He was preceded in death by his father; daughter, Melanie Ann; sister, Tina and grandsons Drake D’Amato and Nicky Redkey.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at Twin Lakes Church of the Nazarene, Mountain Home, AR on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Johnny Ray Lake officiating. Military Honors will be by the United States Army Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until time of service at the church.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.