Obituary of Dan Alkayam

Danny Alkayam was a dearly loved husband, father and grandfather.  He did everything in life with courage and grace, whether he was on the tennis court, or battling cancer. It is with great sorrow that we announce that Danny passed away in Evergreen, Colorado on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the home he shared with his wife Karen, surrounded by the love of his family.

Danny was born on August 10, 1941 in Israel. He was a beloved brother to Orna Arad (Ofer), Gideon Elkayam (Mashid), and Uri Elkayam (Batia). He fathered four daughters, Ronit Alkayam, Kellie Alkayam (Tim Burnham), Mirav Khen (Elie), and Annette Chandler (Mark). Additionally, he is survived by three grandchildren, Daniel Khen, Christopher Hamborsky, and Stephanie Hamborsky, as well as two great-grandchildren, Juniper and Olive Kozea. 

Danny lived a remarkable life that cannot be defined by a single career, but by his drive to take risks, pursue new ventures, and strive for excellence in everything he did.  He is remembered for his extraordinary soccer career, becoming the youngest goalie to ever play for Hapoel Tel Aviv, and for the same determination he carried into every chapter of his life.  When his soccer career was over, he brought that same determination to Los Angeles, where he put himself through business school by selling clothing at the flea market.  

In the early 1980s, Danny relocated to Houston, Texas, where he met his soulmate, Karen (Kotin). They fell in love and were married in 1983. They complemented each other in every way, and with Danny’s natural instinct for business and Karen’s organization and artistry, they built something truly special together. In 1994, they opened their jewelry store, Daniel Diamonds, in Evergreen, and ran it successfully until their retirement in 2023.

Outside of work, Danny was a dedicated lifelong athlete, and whether you met him on the soccer field, or the tennis court, he was always prepared to give his competition a run for their money. What stood out the most about Danny was not just how he played as an athlete, but who he was as a person. He was deeply loyal, the kind of person who would always make time for a phone call to a friend across the world. He was kind, honest to a fault, and generous. Above all, Danny showed his love through his actions. He devoted himself to his family, always making sure his wife and daughters were cared for, supported, and loved.

He leaves behind a legacy that his family will carry forward. Work hard, make time for fun, travel the world, take risks, and above all, take care of the people you love. 

Service, Wednesday, 5/6, 12:30 pm, at Feldman Mortuary; a livestream of the service will be available on the Feldman Mortuary YouTube channel. Interment to follow at Emanuel Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Danny's memory are encouraged to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.