Morgan Hill 

Dana Carl Ditmore passed away peacefully at his home in Morgan Hill, on Sunday, June 8atthe age of 84. He was surrounded by the unfaltering love of his family.

Dana is survived by his beloved first wife Elaine and their children, John (Liz), Chris (Robyn) and Donna; his three nieces, Alicia Albanez (Albert), Kelli Ringer and Juli Hall (Rhett)—whom he lovingly raised as his own daughters after the passing of their mother, his dear sister.

Dana leaves behind his grandchildren; Joshua Ditmore, Zachary and Ashley Ditmore, Parker, Emma and Katie Latham, Kayleigh Marruffo (Nathan), Calvin Difalco, Rio Albanez, Billy Archbold, Logan, Cade (Abby), Eli & Rhys Hall and his great-grandchildren; Nathan, Landon & Bayleigh Marruffo. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Gary Cox, his wife Marjorie and their daughters Debbie Bond (Mike) and Cyndi Neaves (FM); his brother-in-law Dennis Cox and his daughter Linda Ann.

Dana was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Ditmore and Mary Elizabeth Ditmore and his sister Donna Leah Vawser.

Dana was born on December 31, 1940, in Bakersfield.

California.? His family later moved to Stockton, where he attended Lincoln High School. It was here where he courted his little sister’s friend Elaine Cox. Shortly thereafter, over a frosty mug of A&W root beer, the love affair began. They were married on June 16, 1962.

After 2 years at Stockton College, Dana transferred to the University of California, Berkeley and earned both a Bachelors of Science and Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Dana and Elaine moved to San Jose in 1963 to start their family and begin his 16-year career as an Executive at General Electric. In 1979 Dana was recruited by Applied Materials where he spent the next 18 years building a Customer Service business centered around his core belief of giving of one’s self to help others. This remains a core principle at Applied Materials and is one of the many legacies he leaves behind.

In 1997, Dana semi-retired to start his own consulting business, Oak Valley Consulting. Shortly after his “retirement” which he jokingly said he failed miserably at, he took on a Vice-President role at Lam Research (1998-2000) and led Tru-Si Technology as President & COO from 2000-2002.

As impressive as Dana’s business credentials are, they pale by comparison to the love he felt for his family and his philanthropic endeavors.

In 1979 Dana, Elaine and their 3 children moved to Morgan Hill where they established strong roots in the community. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill and sat on the boards of various corporate and non-profit organizations, some of which include: The Healthier Kids Foundation, The Charter School of Morgan Hill Foundation, SJSU Tower Foundation, Community Solutions, San Jose State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo College of Engineering Advisory Councils.

Dana cherished spending time with his family, sharing in their joy and participating in their life experiences in any capacity possible. The love he shared extends far beyond his immediate family and continues to impact the lives of many. This includes a special relationship with his German “daughter” Brigitta Graf.

Dana enjoyed being physically active and fit. Over the years he participated in various activities including: running, basketball, tennis, skiing, mountain biking and various cardio exercises at the gym.

Dana found great joy in music, whether listening to it or playing it himself. He played the trumpet and bugle and was known to wake the visiting grandkids up with a rendition of Reveille in the mornings just for the giggles it would inspire. He and Elaine had agreat time going out dancing or just dancing in the kitchen to a catchy bluegrass or country tune which often led to an impromptu dance party with family and friends. They often attended live music events, a favorite being the annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival in CO.

The family will have a private burial at Gavilan Hills Cemetery inGilroy.

An Open House Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 27 between 12:30pm -3:30pm at Mama Mia’s Restaurant, 275 East Dunne, Morgan Hill. Kindly RSVP to memoriesofdanaditmore@gmail.com.

To honor Dana’s memory, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Community Solutions or the Healthier Kids Foundation.