Daniel Lee Millspaugh

Dan was born September 19th, 1953 to Joe and Betty Millspaugh and was raised in Maize, Kansas along with his siblings, Kathy, Bill, and Tim.

Dan spent much of his life defying the odds. From surviving anaphylactic shock to being told his heart was a “ticking time bomb”. He was called the miracle man in the ICU after his anaphylactic shock. In fact, this isn’t even his first time dying.

He spent so long defying the odds that it doesn’t feel real that he is actually gone.

Dan spent 52 years married to the love of his life, Debbie. They faced everything together with faith and love, and still found energy to flirt with each other. Debbie would have described Dan as “the skinny, weird kid” in high school—but she fell in love with his sense of humor.

Dan didn’t stay skinny, but he did stay weird. And it was one of the best things about him. He loved pranks, jokes, silly nicknames, and making everyone around him laugh. In fact some of the things he did to make others laugh wouldn’t be appropriate to list in an obituary. But you can bet they were hilarious. At any gathering, you could hear him from across the room, laughing and joking with whoever was around.

Dan was a hero in so many ways. Whether it was saving lives on the fire department or just being someone anyone could talk to or turn to in a time of need. He always had the answers to any question. He could fix anything. He was perhaps the most capable man we’ve ever known. Dan gave 100% to everything he did. He could fight a fire all night in freezing temperatures, ice crystals hanging from his mustache, then come home to spend the day shoveling snow, before heading back out to fix someone’s furnace. For which he would never charge full price.

Dan was also a leader. He was a spiritual leader, guiding others using the Bible and his faith—a faith that only strengthened as he grew older. His faith and his family were what he cherished the most. Dan showed his kids and grandkids how to love God and family fiercely and with no hesitation. He led by example, by quietly inspiring people to be their best selves.

Dan raised his children to be independent, to form their own voices, and be free thinkers. He never pushed them in any direction but celebrated their paths, no matter where they led. The kids, Chris (Lowen), Josh (Shannon), Jesse (Emily Lucille), and Staci-Jo (Ryan), still can’t imagine a world without their dad. He was a larger-than-life presence, and even now it is hard to use past tense to describe him. His grandkids, Kaytlynn, Kristen, Joey, Murphy, and Wren, are blessed to have had a Papa like him.

The family would welcome your own stories of Dan at his Celebration of Life at the Maize Recreation Center (10100 Grady Ave, Maize, KS 67101) on October 26 from 3-7. This come-and-go, informal event will be a time for sharing memories, remembering Dan, and sharing comfort with each other. Food will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, donations can also be made in Dan’s name to The Humane Society (Donate to Memorials & Tributes)