I remember meeting Danny in Carol & Robby’s kitchen when Patrick & I stopped by for a visit. We chatted for a while as the boys rollerbladed around us, and his deep love for them was just immediately evident. He beamed whenever he talked about each of his sons. 

A lot of our interactions took place over breakfast when Patrick & I would meet him & Carol after their shifts at Rady’s. Even after a 12-hour night shift, he made it feel like he was excited to see us. He cracked me up with his stories, his endless sarcasm, and his self-deprecating sense of humor. 

I wish I could have learned more about him while he was still with us. I’ve had the privilege of getting glimpses of his life through Patrick, the family, and especially his three boys, who often lovingly recall memories of him when we’re together. 

Thank you for being an incredibly protective, caring big brother to Patrick and for always being kind to me. What a tremendous legacy you have left behind. We’ll be missing you, Danny. 

It is difficult to express the full impact Danny had on my life. As his little brother, I would constantly beg for his attention and I cannot remember a single time that he would refuse to take the time to tell a story, carry me on his back, take me fishing, or to comfort me when I was crying. Danny would call me “Lil britches” and would wrap me in a designated blanket when I was sick with the  “Guarantee” that it would get me better. He was such a remarkable young man that turned into an incredible father. 

I can only wish to be as much of a patient and loving person,  so generous of his time and of  himself as Danny was. I will miss Danny and I am so thankful to have had him as a brother. Until we meet again. 

Love,  
Patrick (Lil Britches) 


Danny loved and was loved.
As Danny's mom, I have a multitude of precious memories. I am especially grateful for the last 6 years with Danny and family lived with us while he earned his BSN. We shared his journey through nursing school. Danny found his gift and passion in nursing. One of my happiest memories was his White Coat Ceremony-essentially his graduation. Danny was so very happy and proud! I was honored to "coat' him. Another very precious time was us working together at Rady Children Hospital.
A favorite memory was our family camping trips to Peppermint Creek and Kern River through the years. Best times spent together.
Danny brought joy and laughter, made life an adventure and fun. He was a man of Honor and Integrity: I kept a beautiful essay he wrote about it in high school.
Danny lived his life with love, determination, strength, and a steadfast loyalty to his family.
Danny's strongest trait was as a Giver. He gave caring, kindness, compassion, and his loving heart. Danny was devoted and dedicated to those he loved, especially his sons. He loved spending time with family the most. He loved with all his heart.
He loved carpentry, wood-burning, gardening, cooking. I treasure the gifts he made me through the years.
Danny was a loving, thoughtful, caring son. I treasured our time together, memories we made.
Although Danny's life was cut short, he left his love and memories in the hearts of those who knew and love him.
Until we meet again, I will always miss and love you.



Danny was a devoted and loving son, to one of my dearest and oldest friends, Carol Kelly. I had the privelege of working with Danny, at Rady's Children hospital, for several years, before he earned his RN. The kids loved Danny. He was an asset to our team. He was a very responsible employee with his heart guiding his way. His compassion came through every shift, he cared , for our patients. He was a joy to work with and is very missed. His family  has shared his memories and his love of life , through their stories. I was lucky enough to have known him, since he was a little one, sitting in the back of Carol and mines nursing class, along with my daughter. The world has lost a wonderful man , nurse , friend and father and husband. He now is helping GOD , in heaven, and I know he is a favorite , up there, already. My heartfelt sympathies to all who are missing him and his kind, sweet compassionate presence. RIP, my friend. 

When Danny and his family had moved to San Diego, he was able to meet some of his newest nieces and nephew. During one of the first interactions with our girls and they had asked him for something. As soon as he heard those little voices say "Uncle Danny..." He stopped whatever he was doing and said, "why, yes sweetheart anything you want". And quickly looked at Sean with a look that said, "you say anything brother and I will shove your big ass into a washing machine again." 
A few years ago, Danny shared the kitchen with me to make Christmas dinner for the family. He also shared quite a bit of sarcasm and even some cooking tips with me that day. I really enjoyed his sense of humor.

He was gentle, patient, dedicated to his family. 


It is hard to think of any one memory that is extra special to me. Every single moment spent with Danny, the good and the bad, is special, and I will forever remember and hold dear. In the 20 years we were together there were the standout memories: meeting at my high school prom, our first date, getting married in 2001 in a tiny chapel in KY, renewing our wedding vows in 2002 on Sunset Cliffs in CA, Orrins birth, Nolan's birth, Galloways birth, Dannys graduation from nursing school with a BA, Orrins HS graduation. Then there are the everyday memories: fishing, playing board games, cleaning the house, watching marathon tv series, laughing, talking, discussing his work day, just hanging out together as a couple or as a family. I miss everything about him, his smile, his laugh, his accent, his strength, his sarcasm, his intelligence, his caring ways. Everyday I come across handfuls of things that spark a memory of Danny. I will forever love you baby. I miss you, I love you, and I can't wait to be with you again. Love, Kelly

He was the best father you could have he taught me how to fish and how to work a gun but the most important memento was when he he took every thing out of the way just to spend time with me and my brother's Orrin and Nolan.

My most vivid memories of Danny has been and always will be of us camping. Building a damn in Peppermint Creek or going for a hike and drinking from the spring overflow pipe will always be among my favorite. Teaching me how to skin a snake or playing with me in the Kern River.  Playing crocodile dandee in the creek will always bring a smile to my face. I will miss you forever and I regret all the time and opportunities missed. Love you, brother till we meet again. 
Your brother, Sean.

My Dad taught me how to fish and those were the best moments ever.
I also would love when he took time out of everything just to spend time with me.

I wasn't expecting any of this. Dad was the only person that I trust. He always make our days fun by going fishing at the bay, hiking up the mountains, and having a b-b-q when we're not busy with other things. I miss my father ever since that day, but without him at the pond, then I would've lost Galloway too.  My favorite memory of him was going fishing at the bay and catch fish for hours.

When I think of Daniel, I think of integrity. If more people in the world were like him the world would be a better place. My deepest condolences to his family.

I had the pleasure of attending CHS with Daniel.   I remember that he was a man of character.  He was honest and hard-working.  He was also quite a fierce competitor on the football field.  No one wanted to get hit by Lees!  We'll miss you Daniel.

Daniel was a great guy and teammate, I will always remember my high school days with him on the football field. I was so sad to hear of this tragedy. I’m sorry for your loss.

I remember Daniel as being reserved in high school: solid, reliable, quiet even. Then, at the end of our junior year, he stood up in front of the whole class, announced his candidacy for student government, and challenged us all to be better, more true and honorable versions of ourselves. He was elected. I am convinced he won by a landslide. His commitment to his team still reminds me to be more like him. 

I have fond memories of Daniel from high school. He was quiet and sweet. He had a servant’s heart, and I remember him so clearly as a helper...always willing to carry and move the heavy stuff when we needed extra muscles! I am so sad for the Lees family and this awful loss. Sending love from the Zarraby family.

I remember Daniel as being so kind in highschool. He was a gentleman, always opening doors for ladies and allowing them to go first.
He was a good man.

My heart hurts that we lost a good one. I had the pleasure of attending high school with Daniel 20+ years ago. And while it had been that many years since I last saw him, I will vividly remember his hardworking attitude and his competitive spirit. If you were on a team or in a group with Daniel, you knew you better do your best and work to win cause he was going to do the same and his team would not lose!  I will also remember that smile. It was hard to get it out of him at times in school, but if you got to see it.....it sticks in your head forever. 

Sending so many prayers and love to his entire family. He ended his life as he lived it...a hero.  To his children...your dad will live on in you! Use his determination, strength, kindness and that smile I’m sure you also have to take on this world. 

My sincere condolences. The devastating news circulated through our Christian High family. I hope our prayers comforted you over the last few months, and continue to bring you peace for the difficult days ahead. Daniel was a true gentleman, a brave hero, kindhearted and compassionate. Carol, I wish I could find the right words to heal your heart, just as you have devoted your entire life to helping others in moments like these. To Daniel’s family, please accept my deepest sympathy. The world certainly lost an extraordinary human.  We’ll meet again around God’s Heavenly Throne.

There have been many times over the years when I was trying to call Carol Kelly and would end up have delightful conversations with Danny instead. We would talk about his time in school and how much nursing care he was learning as he assisted Carol in caring for Robbie. How valuable the experience was in preparing to obtain a nursing job on graduation. He was kind, caring and smart. I knew he would make a wonderful registered nurse when he graduated. Danny touched many of our lives over the years as a friend, son, husband and father. He is gone too soon and we will miss him. He will always have a place in our hearts.

Daniel was my dad he taught me how to fish and when he took time off work to spend time with us it made me feel grateful that he was my father.

Daniel, I enjoyed talking with you on a very consistent basis there at the hospital while you were working through nursing school and was sad to see you go when you took on the RN role! You were definitely a sitter NOT to be trifled with! :) I’ve known your mom for 19 years and heard on many occasions of how her kids have been doing over the years. I’m praying for your wife and children and extended family, you are missed!!

-Bryan

My little brother! He was such a light to me! I have so many memories from teaching him to swim and how to cook when Mom worked nights. Always willing to help others.... what a heart he had. I thank you for allowing me to be your big brother! Love and miss you!

 Beauty in this world is often shown by the gentleness of others. Witnessing the side of you, when you interacted you with our girls, was sweet. Hearing you say, "of course sweetheart, anything you want", and then looking at Sean with a look that said, "brother, these are my nieces and I will shove your big ass back into a washing machine if you say a word".  

 I don't have many memories to share. However, you made an impression on me of what an amazing man you were. 
Cooking with you for Christmas day is a precious memory. The time and care you took to make an amazing meal for our family was so heart warming. Sharing space in the kitchen, the sarcasm and even teaching me some great recipes.
The example you set for your boys on how to be a good father.
Taking care of your aging father, even after an exhausting day of work, studying, and taking care of your family. 
The example you set for your boys on how to work hard, to keep going, to suck it up, to persevere through so much, all to make a better life for them. 
For those of us lucky enough to know you, you made a mark on our hearts, that we will forever be blessed with.

I am so saddened about the loss of Danny, my nephew.
I remember when Danny was a little boy how spirited and curious he was.
When he and Jason came to my house in Pine Valley for events with their cousin, Chris, (he’s younger than them) Danny and Jason were always so good playing with him and being very caring and protective.
My deepest sympathy to Carol, Jason, Kelly and his sons.
Love,
Aunt Becky

I have so many great memories growing up with Danny. Gardening with Grandpa, baking with Grandma and then in our later years. When I was 16 and he was 20 my friends and I learned he had never been trick or treating so we all dressed up and went trick or treating. He was my last minute date to my senior prom which is how he met Kelly. I am so proud that he finally fulfilled his dreams of following in his mother’s footsteps and becoming a nurse! I will treasure the memories we made and wait until I see you again in Heaven. Until then I will be missing you like crazy!

I worked with Daniel and his mother at Rady Children's. Both a pleasure to work with.  So many looong nights working in the ER, chatting it up just to stay awake while watching teenagers sleep.  Fun times, for sure, and a necessary bridge to the beginning of our careers as nurses. Daniel, you will be missed. The world lost a good man much too soon.  Carol and family, my condolences. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you and give you peace, comfort and strength. 

 "...To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8). 

I am so deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this great man. He was my former SGT and team leader in the 617th MP company and I couldn't have asked for a finer leader and true gentleman. My heart goes out to Kelly and the boys whom he always spoke of with great love and affection because his first real honor was being a family man. 

Peace and Love, 
Natalie (aka SPC Hughes) 

OBITUARY

Daniel Thomas Lees

10 September, 1978 – 17 June, 2020

El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley & El Camino Memorial Park

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