Daniel John Laden

Daniel John Laden, age 44, passed away at home on April 29, 2020. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 25, 1976, into a family that surrounded him with love and laughter throughout his life. He lost his father, Michael J. Laden, Sr. when he was five years old, and his mother raised four children and supported the family working as a real estate agent in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She married David Kuhl in 1982 and the family expanded—six children blended as a boisterous and loving family. Danny, a childhood nickname he couldn’t shed although he tried, loved people deeply. He is remembered for his huge bear hugs and a smile so authentic and welcoming that no one ever felt like a stranger in his presence. He was the first to notice when someone needed a little extra encouragement and unfailingly generous with his time and attention. We are sure he literally gave the shirt off his back more than once. Danny founded Balden Consulting Group and served as an IT consultant for companies across the United States. He was a creative problem solver and relished finding solutions to thorny technology issues. Danny loved the feeling of being useful, and his ethic of care extended to his work. Danny was a tender soul who recognized and deeply felt both the joys and sorrows of life. It was this gift of empathy that allowed him to translate his experience to stage and song. He loved performing and never seemed happier than when he was on stage or at karaoke night in front of an audience awed by his musical gift. Even during this recent period of home quarantine, he performed karaoke from his couch and broadcast his recordings to a grateful audience who looked forward to finding connection and solace in his songs. The laugher that seemed to follow in Danny’s wake was a certain kind of magic. His humor was often self-deprecating and never malicious. He longed to ease people’s journeys through hard times with humor and compassion, and his clever observations and quick wit will be so deeply missed. He is survived by friends and family who are mourning his loss, including his step-father David B. Kuhl and his siblings Michael J. Laden (Rachel), Emily K. Lawrence (Dean), James C. Kuhl (Krista), and David B. Kuhl II (Carey) and former spouses Ana Solis and Tara Cook. He is also survived five nephews: Matthew and Mason Kuhl, Ford Laden and Ben and Finn Kuhl. He is preceded in death by his father Michael J. Laden, Sr., his mother Nanette Louise Beaugez Laden Kuhl, and his brother Ryan A. Laden. The family requests gifts in Danny’s honor be made to the following organizations: The Lord is My Help Food Bank: http://www.thelordismyhelp.org or Greg Smith Transplant Patient Assistance Fund at Ochsner Health: https://giving.ochsner.org/Views/dp/donate/controller.cfm? There will be a memorial gathering with friends and family when it safe to do so. We look forward to being together to tell stories, laugh and remember Danny soon. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs is honored to serve this family.