Though his life ultimately took him to Oregon and around the world, his heart never left Ohio. He grew up here, married here, raised his children here—and it called to him in ways no other place ever could.

Dan was born April 28, 1942, in Bucyrus, Ohio, to Antoinette and Paul Lea, an only child and, eternally, the apple of their eyes. He died on April 25, 2026, days before his 84th birthday. Danny’s early years were spent in northern Ohio (“Do or Die for Hog Creek High!” he’d proudly say). He later headed south to Ohio University, drawn in part by what was then the best journalism school in the state.

It was there he met and fell in love with Claire, his wife of 61 years.

From journalism to marketing to managing trade associations, Dan built a career defined by strong principles and a deep sense of ethics. Even after retirement, his CIMA (Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association) colleagues regularly called on him for advice—guidance he happily provided, sometimes in more than one language.

Over the years, opportunities arose that could have taken him elsewhere, but time and again, he came to the same conclusion: why leave Ohio? To him, it was the best place to build a life and raise a family.

Family life centered around the human “Core Four”—Dan, Claire, Cindy, and Richard—along with a never-ending revolving door of beloved pets, beginning with Snoopy, the self-proclaimed “bestest dog ever.”

Living near his parents in Ohio, most vacations took them west to be with Claire’s family. Yosemite became especially meaningful—Dan first visited as a young teen and was determined to one day share its magic with his own family. In 1974, he did just that, and it became a beloved gathering place for many years, with family reunions in Wawona (which he jokingly said translated to boring). Drinks on the porch at the Wawona Hotel or Ahwahnee Lodge was a tradition for each visit.

One of his proudest moments was returning to Yosemite in the late 1980s with his parents, fulfilling his long-held dream of showing them the place he had fallen in love with decades earlier. Yosemite may have rivaled Ohio for his heart—but, as he liked to point out, the lack of Wi-Fi there helped ensure Ohio ultimately won.

As Dan often said, “It’s great in Dayton—it’s educating, innovating, and stimulating.” He was a proud ambassador for Ohio, quick to remind anyone that the birthplace of aviation was Dayton, not North Carolina (researched by the brothers and had the right combination of wind, terrain, and isolation for the first flight). He delighted in Ohio’s many treasures—from Magee Marsh to The Wilds to Lake Erie (Port Clinton proudly included), from the Miami and Ohio rivers to its rich legacy of innovation. At the turn of the century, Dayton had more patents than anywhere on earth. In true Dan fashion, his final Facebook post was a love letter to the beauty of the state he so proudly called home.

Though neither of his children ultimately settled there—much to his and Claire’s dismay—their family remained close, with frequent visits wherever life took them.

In 2006, his grandson Landon Daniel David was born, bringing the joy of three generations of Lea men once again. There is a special bond among them—one of deep admiration and connection—that only grew stronger with time. Dan was immensely proud and followed Landon’s life with joy and devotion.

Long before the internet, Dad was our personal fountain of knowledge, always ready with an answer to any question. He lived with honor, humor, and purpose—never cutting corners, always putting family first. In the final year of his life, he proved that once again, leaving his beloved Ohio to be closer to family in Oregon.

As we often asked: What would Dan Lea do? If he wouldn’t do it, you probably shouldn’t either.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Claire; his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Kevin; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Kirsten; and his grandson, Landon—along with a community of people who are better for having known him.

Please share your thoughts, memories, and condolences for Dan by signing the guest book, located at the bottom of this obituary page.

In lieu of gifts, Dan would appreciate donations in his memory to The Wilds—a tribute that reflects both his love of animals and his enduring love for Ohio.