Daniel James Compton

Daniel James Compton passed away on August 13, 2025, in St. Clair, Missouri. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly (Hilgert) Compton; his sister, Lynn Williams; his brother, Bill Compton; his son, Jeffrey Compton; his daughter, Sheila Ellebracht; his two grandchildren, Grant and Stefania; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and more. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Peggy Hoover. Dan was born October 15, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, to George and Eileen Compton, the first in a cohort of more than 50 Compton grandchildren. He and his three siblings grew up in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood near Marquette Park, where the bustling Compton home was known to many for its warm hospitality and abundant laughter. As he grew, he exhibited natural abilities in swimming, gymnastics, band (trombone), and all things mechanical. He attended Leo Catholic High School. Dan went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in math and physics from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It was at U. of I. that he met the love of his life, Bev, with whom he forged a nearly 60-year partnership. It was obvious to all who knew them that he adored her. Dan applied his training to a career as an engineer and salesman of factory automation equipment, for many years representing the Allen-Bradley Company to industrial clients throughout the Southeast. His work first took him and his young bride, Bev, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where their son was born. They then moved to Knoxville, Tennessee; then to Birmingham, Alabama, where their daughter was born; then back to Knoxville; then to Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan was a loving and dedicated family man. He supported his two children through school, music lessons, swimming, camps, horseback riding lessons, and many more activities and adventures. He coached youth league and all-star soccer for several years. There were family singalongs, board games, shared movies and T.V. shows, holiday traditions, running jokes, and road trips. And the family dog, Tess, was an enthusiastic part of it all. In later years, Dan experimented with several business opportunities, concluding his working life as a popular driver for UPS in Charlotte. After retiring, Dan and Bev joined their daughter in the St. Louis area, where Dan sought to relax in the comforting setting of a quiet home, surrounded by peaceful woods, while contending with the creeping complications of Parkinson’s disease. Dan is fondly remembered by his family and friends for his sense of humor, his bravery, his curiosity, his generosity, his honesty, his loyalty, his positivity, his reliability, his thoughtfulness, his impressive strength and stature, and his amiable nature. He engaged effortlessly with people and established lasting connections. He was fond of music, and was a gifted singer as well as a delightfully talented whistler. He exhibited pride in his Irish heritage. He was impressively warm-blooded, being comfortable outside in a t-shirt when others were bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves. As anyone who spent time with Dan can attest, he embraced a life-long love of food. He was inspired by books, from being swept away as a youngster by the cowboy stories of Louis L'Amour, to perusing scores of David Baldacci suspense novels in recent years. His passion for “Westerns” persisted; he was a self-made expert on the television and movie contributions to that genre, and a huge John Wayne fan. Dan always had a twinkle in his eye and was quick to share a smile. Whether you knew him for years or met him only once, you likely witnessed his signature look: that rapidly wiggled left eyebrow paired with a disarming, impish grin. He was widely loved, is dearly missed, and will be fondly remembered. Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Daniel James Compton

October 15, 1945 - August 13, 2025