Dan…

 The Spiritual Giant ~ The Biggest Heart ~ The Happiest Man

Right there says it all, a gentle but powerful man. It is of little surprise that the need for him and his talents were so greatly needed in heaven that Heavenly Father needed Dan to rejoin him at such a young age.  His time on earth here was small, but his impact, devotion and his mission to serve was enormous! 

One Story I remember about Danny is one evening late we were discussing how dangerous our outdoor patio stairs were. A few days later we return home to find our stairs were gone, and there was Danny, along with Kyle and Brad building fresh new stairs with wood they had purchased with their own money.  He always put the need of others first.

 Dan was one of the most caring and giving people I have ever known.  He was funny and determined; he was also stubborn at times which usually resulted in getting things done.  He was fun loving and playful yet a dedicated and a loving mentor which helped many young men graduate and get back on track. Nobody was left behind or left out. There were no outsiders or underdogs when Dan was around. Everybody was included and felt both useful and important but most of all… they felt Loved!!

The qualities Danny developed while here on Earth will expand and be of great need in Heaven. Children of our Heavenly Father continue to be blessed and taught. The Love still flows. The work goes on.  The legend lives. 

 Love Aunt Lori

Danny Boy - Kyle Richardson

Of all the people that knew Dan, I was probably the one that knew him least.  Six short months I had to get to know one of the most unique individuals I have ever met.  To pick one memory is hard so I didn’t I picked a whole handful to illustrate the kind of man Dan was to me.

Kind to a fault:

Dan had a stalker; I mean a really bad stalker.  I laughed hysterically when I found out who it was and  I laughed even harder when I had the chance to watch him tip toe around her in an attempt be nice but not lead her on.  One day we (Dan, Brad, and I) were driving somewhere in my truck when we happened to pass by this individual that was in such an amorous way for Dan.  He immediately headed for the floor boards, literally.  He took off his belt and was trying to crouch down under the dash board to avoid being seen which meant I pulled up next to her and asked if she was looking for Dan.  He sat up and just smiled like it was completely normal for people to cower under the glove box.  Now anyone else would be completely justified in cursing me and my lineage for the rest of eternity but instead as we drove away he just shook his head and said, “Was that really necessary?”  I loved the way Dan could take a joke and rarely, if ever, did I hear him insult someone else.

Determined….to a fault:

The first time I’d ever gone four wheeling Dan took me down to the Green River.  As we were tooling around Dan heard a clanking noise emanating from his bike.  He immediately diagnosed the problem as something rattling around in the piston so instead of putting his bike on the trailer and calling it good he proceeded to tear his bike apart thinking to perform mechanical surgery in the middle of the desert. After an hour I thought he would give up, no.  We struggled for some time to pull the header off but something stopped us, impeding our endeavors.  Finally I grabbed a hold of the top of the motor and pulled hard and broke the thing clean off because there were two bolts still holding it on.  It’s at this point that his kindness kicked in because I would have beaten someone to death if they’d broken my motor but no he just laughed and then said, “Don’t worry I think we can fix that with some gasket sealant.”  We really couldn’t and shouldn’t have tried but we did anyway.  Finally we got everything more or less put back together and he looked down and realized the noise was just a loose fitting on the exhaust pipe.  So we finally called it a day only because at that point it was too dark to see a foot in front of our faces.

Compassionate to accentuate my fault:

Dan never met a friend he didn’t want to make, or a person in need he wasn’t willing to try and pick up.  He gathered people to him like a shepherd bringing in the reject sheep.  It was amazing to witness his utter disregard for his own needs or capacities when he would immediately promise to provide whatever someone needed in order to make them comfortable.  Whether it was a place to stay for a night or close to five months, or if it was offering to mediate between quarreling lovers , or if it was just a kind word and a smile to someone on the outskirts of a group Dan had a way of making sure that no one was at the bottom.  I love and respect him for his ability to sacrifice and willingness to serve at a moment’s notice.  My fondest memory of Dan is probably just the pure example of character and how to live a life without regret.

Kyle Richardson

Danny - Raechel & Eddy Lewis

Danny and I shared lots of memories over the years.  Sometimes he was a brother, sometimes he was a friend, and sometimes he was a hero.  I never met a more spiritually tuned man.  Many times when everyone was away it was just he and I hanging out and we'd stay up talking and just having fun.  I have so many cherished memories of the cousin sleepovers, camping trips and outings we had.  It was always so much fun!  He was always so selfless and never failed to go above and beyond any expectations.  When I met Eddy and we were dating, Dan wanted Eddy to move in with him.  Eddy said he couldn't because he had a dog.  No joke, within one week Dan had rented a new apartment that allowed dogs, and bought a dog himself (Rudy).  Eddy was blown away and he still talks about that today.  He was amazed at the great love and friendship that Dan gave him when he hardley knew him.  Of coarse, we all know the great love and friendship and example that Dan was and is.  Dan, we will always miss you and think of you until that great day when we are reunited! 

With Love,
Raechel & Eddy Lewis

My Best Friend - By RaeJean

One of my most memorable outings with Dan was of a special Christmas weekend night when we went to Salt Lake. Dan asked me at work if I would go to the Joseph Smith movie with him. I said yes, and the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye, showed how excited he was to share the gospel with me. He acquired tickets and we went to the movie. Brad and Kara came too and we planned a full night of fun. After the movie, we went on a carriage ride around temple square to see the lights. Next, we were off to the Melting Pot for dinner. I had such an amazing time. Dans love of the gospel and his amazing love for his family and friends is something that I will always remember about him. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him!! Thanks Dan for your amazing strength, love and testimony of the gospel. You are a great example!

Your friend forever, RaeJean

Dan - By Blake & Carolyn Corbridge

One of our favorite memories of Danny is going to the Burger Bar and seeing him smile at Carolyn and I from behind the hamburger grill. He would immediately come out to the window to greet us and share his excitement of seeing us there. He then stated that he would take special care of our order. We knew that we were important to him. We could tell that he enjoyed his work there and they who worked with him enjoyed his presence. Now when we go to Burger Bar for our evening refreshment, we always comment how it is just not the same without Danny's smile radiating from behind that hamburger grill. Still, we do enjoy having and discussing the memory of him there. We miss him. He is a true guardian angel to all of us.

Blake & Carolyn Corbridge

Nephew Dan - by LaDale VanderDose

One of my fondness memories of Danny was the famous water fight on Grandma’s birthday.  That was the water fight that Bruce started.  He did throw the first glass of water.  I know I was there.   Well anyway that started the biggest water fight ever.  The whole neighborhood was watching.  I of course had to get revenge.   I couldn’t let my brother get away with throwing water at his older sister.  I was holding my own in the fight, but then Danny appeared on the scene.  I think he was secretly on my brother’s side, because every time I turned around there was Danny soaking me with another glass of water.  Then the fight was between Danny and me.  One glass after another we were going after each othert.  I got him good, but if the truth be known I was on the losing side.  He was just too fast.  I was soaking wet.  That is a day I will long remember.  I miss Danny.  I would like a another water fight with him.  I’m sure I would win this time. ( Well maybe not, but it would be worth a try)  So………………..Danny when I meet up with you again.  Watch out.  I may have another glass of water hiding behind my back. 

Love  Always LaDale

The Neighbor Boy - Katie Lightfoot Simpson

Here's my memory of Danny, kind of short silly- but it's what I remember most :)

I remember Danny frantically chasing Shadow (the family dog) around when she would escape from the yard.  Danny would always be so apologetic and polite about it, it was pretty cute.  Of course I also remember Danny playing with my little brother Kris, and the other neighborhood kids.  Danny was just an all around great guy.  I know he has touched so many lives just by who he was.

With love,
Katie (Lightfoot) Simpson