Clarence A. "Dan" Daniel

On Tuesday, June 23, Clarence Arthur "Dan" Daniel, age 82, passed away at home with his wife, Wendy, by his side. Diagnosed with a rare cancer (Amyloidosis) in April of this year, Dan spent the last months of his life under the care of his family, enjoying visits and phone calls from his children, grandchildren, and dear friends.

Born in Huron, South Dakota, Dan was the only child of Mildred and Charles Daniel. As a young man he showed a rich talent for athletics, participating in track and field, basketball, football, and baseball. He even pitched four years in semi-pro baseball.

Ultimately, Dan found his way to a career in athletics, as a respected football coach for nearly six decades.

His storied career began in 1956 at Custer High School (South Dakota), and it took him all the way to the National Football League. He held defensive coaching positions in high school, college, and professional teams across North America, including Colorado State University (1966-1969), University of Houston (1972-1976), Edmonton Eskimos (1977-1981), Kansas City Chiefs (1983-1985), and various teams in the NFL World League (1998-2007). Coaching was a life-long pursuit: retirement held no appeal for him. He spent the last three seasons as a defensive consultant and corner back’s coach for Iowa Western College, where in 2012 they won the National Jr. College Championship.

Dan was deeply grateful for the opportunities that a life in football afforded him. He was a life-long learner, keen to enhance his knowledge of the game and to improve as a coach. It was also his great pleasure to share what he had learned with players and coaching friends.

Dan’s greatest source of pride, however, was his family. Every birthday found him wishing for “a healthy and happy family.” He felt very lucky to have such a large one. He married Bonnie Jensen in 1954, shortly before they both graduated from Huron College. The pair spent three decades together, and they were the proud parents of four children, two boys and two girls: Dale, Denise, Dirk, and Darci. Separated in 1978, Dan and Bonnie remained friends until her death on August 10, 2009.

When Dan came to coach in the Canadian Football League his life took—as a newspaper columnist at the time put it—“a turn for the nurse.” While visiting a coaching friend in the hospital, Dan got what he said was a “great scouting report on a cute little nurse” named Wendy. Reflecting back on this time in his life, he was asked if he had to write a book about Wendy, his wife of 35 years, what would he title it? He answered: “Ultimate Victory.” He continued: “1. Recruiting—looking for a wife. 2. Scout Report—learning all about Wendy. 3. Pre-Season—dating. 4. Game Time—marriage and life. 5. Still winning—loving and enjoying all seven children.” Dan and Wendy were married on Dec. 28, 1979, and shortly afterward Dan adopted her daughter Carly. The couple had two daughters of their own, Chelsey and Kayla.

In recent years, Dan’s family continued to grow, adding to its mix a daughter-in-law, Shannon, sons-in-law, Tommy, Brandon, and Kyle, as well as four grandchildren, Jilian, Brent, Kira, and Silas. Another grandchild is on the way in December.

Over the course of his life as a coach, father, and husband, Dan developed a set of aphorisms—rules and values that guided his life—what the family calls “Dadisms.” These were gleaned from coaching mentors who exhibited honesty, respect, and integrity, and from his own life experiences. Hence, the first Dadism: “Admit your mistakes. And don’t do it over the phone, or by text, or in an email, but in person, face-to-face. Look that person in the eye.” Others included: “Be on time”; “Do not say things that you do not mean”; “Do not be concerned with things that are beyond your control”; “Be a good listener”; “Always say thank you.” And Dan exhibited these values. He cared more about relationships than professional successes. He was grateful for every kindness shown to him. He was a generous and loyal friend. He was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Lake Travis United Methodist Church, 1502 N FM 620, Austin, TX 78734.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Beth Hellerstedt, Anne Courtney, RN, FNP-BC, Amber Featherstone, RN, at Texas Oncology, Gentiva Hospice, their pastor, Dr. Ray Kiser and their church family at LTUMC.

For those desiring, contributions may be made in Dan’s memory to the Clarence Arthur Daniel Scholarship, Concordia University Athletics (please contact: [email protected]).