I remember my friend Dan as a kind, caring, loving man with a fun sense of humor. He was always fun to be around. We had many long discussions in the years we worked together. He always had my back. One time after a motorcycle wreck where my wife and I were injured,  Dan and his son-in-law Jason came over and finished my flooring project that was half done. So, Pat and I could get the house back together and recover in comfort. He was always doing stuff for family and friends. I look forward to seeing Dan again one day because of his faith in God, who provided the only way to heaven. I miss seeing Dan now but have a hope for a future in heaven.  Until that day, I still get to enjoy his family that's here.    

  Dan loved music such as the " oldies ",  but especially gospel music.  Two of his favorite hymns that he enjoyed singing were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and he liked it even more if the music was playing on a radio or CD .   Road trips were also perfect times for us to sing together and the gospel music was always included.  He had a wonderful full sounding voice,  but Dan preferred to sing in his own home with me or when he was alone.  He just didn't feel confident to sing around other people even family, friends, or in church.  I will miss those special music sessions together,  but I'll continue to listen to some of our favorite music and sing along for both of us.  



Granddaddy was the actual best and I have so many incredible memories with him.

R.I.P.  Uncle Danny,   I know you and Dad are telling jokes, cutting up and watching over us!

From the very beginning you've always loved me so well. You always made me laugh and I never doubted your care. For all the pointe  shoes you bought me,  meals you provided, textbooks you got, and the way your were always there.  I will always be grateful.  You always made sure I was safe and always made sure I had food in my belly.  You made sure I had clothes and you made sure I was happy.  I will always cherish the way you made me laugh, no matter the situation.  Through thick and thin you were more than a grandpa, you were my friend.  I think I got my sense of humor and uncontrollable laughter from you.  You pushed me to do my best always and I love you more than words can say.  We spent countless days together but I'll always wish I could have said goodbye.

Going to miss all your stories,  Granddad.   Thank you for everything you've done for us.  Rest easy!

Dear Granddaddy, I miss you so much.  Oh, how I wish I could have said goodbye. Thank you for teaching me generosity.  Thank you for always being there for me and my family.  You made me smile when I was sad.  When I had no home in Texas you took me in, you treated me like a son.  I will be forever grateful for the impact you had on my life.

I'll never be able to express how much you meant to me and just how much I loved you.  I cannot wait to hear your contagious laugh again.  Rest well grandfather.  You are missed by many.

From the very beginning you've always loved me so well.  You always made me laugh and I never doubted you care for all the point shoes you bought me,  meals you provided,  textbooks you
got, and the way you were always there; I will forever be grated.
You always made sure I was safe and had food in my belly.  You made sure I had clothes and you made sure I was happy.

I will always cherish the way you made me laugh no matter the situation.  Through thick and then, you were more than a grandpa, you were my friend.  I think I got my sense of humor and uncontrollable  laughter from you.  You pushed me to do my best always and I love you more than words can say.  We spent countless days together but I'll always wish I could have said 
goodbye.

My dad was an amazing person that always pushed me to be the best version of myself. He only wanted me to be happy and always told me to do what would make me happy. He once said to me that if you find a career you love, you will not work one day in your life. He was also the absolute best grilled cheese sandwich maker. Thank you for teaching me how to think outside the box, and there is more than one way to get something done. I will miss you dearly. 

One of the first things I think about when remembering Dan is his smile and infectious laugh!  He always had a story to share and it was shared with his sense of humor and laughter!  The other thing is not only how much he loved his family but also how much he was loved by them!  There was never any question when watching them together or listening to them share stories how deeply they loved and cared for each other. Dan will be missed by so many. 

My memories of Dan are that he was simply one of the best people to be around.  Dan was always cheerful and willing to help if needed. Several years ago Dan was there to help when I needed to put up a new fence at my house and later to setup a wood playset for my kids.  Although building the fence wasn't very fun, we laughed and joked around the entire time.  

A few of us visited Dan at the hospital while he was going though rehab. The staff were patient but eventually came to Dan's room to ask us to keep the noise down.  Apparently we were laughing too loudly as Dan was telling us stories of his experiences at Fort Bragg.

That is how I will always remember Dan.  A true friend that you could always count on to make any situation better.

I met Dan when he worked at the Trane Corporation in Tyler TX.  I was on the local IBM account team that supported Trane.  I had become good friends with Tim as we shared similar technical interests.  Tim introduced me to his team which included Dan.  One of Dan's favorite stories about our friendship involved our mutual enjoyment of food.  Tim had told he and Frank (another Trane employee) that I could eat like a horse, so Dan and Frank challenged me to an all-you-can-eat outing to show me how the 'cow ate the cabbage' (haha).  We went to a local restaurant that had all-you-can-eat shrimp on one particular week night.  Needless to say, I (the not so thick one) put away more shrimp than both Dan and Frank and suddenly gained more than just mainframe computer respect! We have laughed about that evening many, many times.  It was always fresh again when Dan would tell the story.

After Trane closed the Tyler data center location, Dan went to work for IBM in Dallas.  I would occasionally see him and the others that had also transitioned to IBM, but that became much more frequent when I was able to join the same IBM team as Dan and my other colleagues.  I have continued to work from the Tyler area but have had many trips to the Dallas office over the last 20+ years to work and engage with Dan.  His technical expertise in IMS and DB2 were valued by our team (as others have stated), but it was his love for family, love for country, quiet disposition and veracious sense of humor that would draw people to this gentle giant.

Once in a team conference meeting, Dan was asked to go and get another teammate.  That was a big mistake because we not only could not find the other person, but Dan conveniently disappeared as well. Going forward, we never let Dan volunteer to go and find anyone who was missing.

My hope for Carla and the family is that you find peace and comfort in this difficult time.  Dan was loved by all the people he encountered.

God Bless you all!

I grew up with the Carla Garrett family in Odessa.  I always remember Dan as an easy going, nice, quiet, and polite guy.    But if you knew our mutual sister in law, you knew why he was quiet.  Could not get a word in edgewise in the conversation.    
Dan was loved by his in laws, family, and friends, and was a great provider for his family.  Dan and Carla were model examples of parents to their kids and grand kids.    I am fortunate to have known Dan,  I trust we will all embrace Carla and help her thru this time.  Rest in peace,  Soldier Dan.  

Mr. Dan was one of my best friends in IBM. Initially, he was bit quiet, not shy. After we worked together for a while I began to recognize Dan had a great sense of humor.

He said 'Bruce, we need to send you back to China!".
I said "I was from Taiwan, not mainland China.".
He said "It doesn't matter. Uncle George will put you in a suitcase and bring you to Shanghai. Leave you there!".
I said " Well, I can't swim that far. It's 140 sea miles, for God sake.".
Mr. Dan started to laugh. "not my problem .... " finally ....

To be sure Mr. Dan is NOT a racist. He just liked to make joke with Bruce. And can't forget he called me "tm" - tiny marine, not Taiwanese Marine (TM). 

It was so fun to work with Mr. Dan. One time I jumped and kicked the back of his and George's chairs. Unfortunately I fell on the floor (something to do with age). Mr. Dan turned his chair, looked at me and turned his chair back. Immediately he turned again and started to laugh at me. It was a long laugh and so loud that people from parking lot can hear him! He cannot stop telling the story to coworkers for years (Mr. Bruce had bad behavior and .....).

Mr. Dan was one of my friends who had excellent financial knowledge. He knew everything! One day I said to Dan "Mr. Dan, you are great in finance. Why you worked for a so so company, not Wall Street?". He said "Because I am smart!". To be sure IBM is not a so so company. It's a great company!

I will not forget Mr. Dan .....

Bruce Lin



I did not have the pleasure of working with Dan too often at IBM. However, on the occasions that we did collaborate, I recall Dan always had a positive outlook. His great sense of humor and sharp technical skills made him a wonderful teammate and Dan always brightened the room. My prayers for peace and understanding are with you and your family.
Sincerely, Vance

I just want to reflect on how terrific a father Dan was … three amazing daughters with three amazing families.  It has been my honor to watch them grow. 

I first met Dan in 2003 when I came back to work at IBM for Jan Woody in Dan's department.  There's a story that happened before I joined that team.  It was when Jan Woody became the new manager of the team. In her first department meeting, everyone was to introduce themselves.  Each one in turn said "I am Dan Pack."  I'm not sure if they admired Dan so much that they wanted to be him or they just wanted to make sure if something happened Dan would get the blame. In any case, Dan was a big part of the team.  I remember many conversations with Dan as we worked together on DB2 and IMS, about his family and his life before IBM.  Dan had a strong work ethic and a great love for his family and friends.  I came into the group knowing about IMS and DB2, but Dan helped me to understand how the process worked under VM in that environment.  He only had to explain it to me a dozen times over the first few months. But he was patient with me and a good teacher.  After a couple of years working with Dan, I got to know more of his family and the strength of character that each has.  The apples don't fall far from the tree.  What a legacy of love for family and others and "worked hard, did good."  I cherish all the time I was able to spend with Dan at work and outside of work.      

I have so many wonderful memories of Dan – he was easily led to assisting in the creation of mischief and watching the results from the sideline, feigning innocence.

Dan laughed easily and often - whether it was about a story we had both read, or a silly predicament someone created for themselves.  Such a joy to hear that laughter and watch the tears roll down his face.

The time I got to spend with Dan in 2014 after his surgery – in the rehab centers and then at his home while Carla was still working – created more very special memories.    We spent a lot of time visiting and he would tell me how much he loved his family and how proud he was of all of you. 

It was a privilege to spend that time with Dan and get to know Carla and his daughters.  Even though I had worked with Dan for over 10 years, I had not met his family until 2014 when he was in the hospital.  It felt so much like we were all family within a few minutes of meeting them.  There was so much love in that waiting room.  

Love is a beautiful legacy to leave behind.  I shall miss him deeply.


I worked with Dan for over 20 years which included several business trips together.  I always enjoyed Dan's company and sense of humor.  While traveling during times of boredom Dan would tell me stories and jokes that had me laughing for hours afterward.  I will always remember those times with Dan.  Several situations at work were equally as funny and forever memorable.

In IBM, we have an annual process to review how we contributed to our team.  The first year that Dan and I worked together, his entire summary for the previous year consisted of:
"Worked hard, did good."

Add "much loved by family and friends" and it also becomes a fitting tribute to a life well-lived.

Dan was a parachute rigger in the Vietnam Era and a proud veteran.  He would tell stories about the equipment they pushed out of the back of planes and about the times he jumped out too.  One of his favorite stories was one where a mistake by another team caused a large gun to bounce around the ground so roughly that it bent the barrel into a round corner.  

As many of you know, Dan worked for some years in the oil fields of west Texas.  All the stories from the oil field were of nothing but hard physical labor which for Dan was no surprise.  

He worked in I/T for Conoco, Inc. before  I am proud to say that I had the pleasure of hiring Dan to join my team at The Trane Company, in Tyler, TX in the mid-1980s.  Dan and I have been together since that day as we both joined IBM and moved to the DFW area when Trane elected to shutdown their data center in Tyler in 1989.

In the early 1990s I did not know anyone physically stronger than Dan and I certainly did not know anyone who could out work him on a hot day during the Texas summer.   The riding arena retaining wall, constructed from rail road ties, in my pasture would not exist today if not for the sheer strength and stamina of Dan Pack.  Dan showed me the true meaning of "pace yourself" and he also showed me the difference it made to work "far to near" instead of the first thing that in the path.

We lost a good one on 2 Aug and I will forever cherish the memories of all the things we accomplished.

We were very saddened and shocked to hear of Dan’s sudden passing. He was a good man and will be missed by many. Your family is so close that I know you will lean on each other to get thru this difficult time. He loved you all and I know you loved him.  My favorite memory of Dan happened in November 2014. On our travels we were stopping at a lot of the 1st cousins  homes. The 1st time we were at your house that year, you were working so we had several hours of a one on one visit with Dan.  He was very open and candid  candid about what happened to him. You were in the middle of remodeling your home to accommodate him.  We were amazed at his attitude and how well he was dealing with it. It takes a strong man to do that.  He wasn’t at a lot  of family reunions because he was working to support his family that he loved.  We really enjoyed getting to know him better. We saw what a strong, loving man he was. It’s a memory that I will never forget. 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mr. Danny Ray Pack

13 mai 1950 – 2 août 2021

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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