Daniel was born in New York City in 1936 to Sally and Daniel Chase Easton. Dan spent his childhood years in Harwinton, Connecticut, at the beautiful home of his grandmother, Agema Dennett, with his twin sisters Virginia and Louise. Dan graduated from Torrington, Connecticut, High School in 1954. Dan spent many days riding his horses at Fred Barber’s farm.
After high school Dan immediately went into the U.S. Navy spending time aboard the USS Newman in Cuba. After finishing with the Navy, he headed west to fulfill his dream of becoming a cowboy. He began his lifetime work with horses at the Stanford Riding School in Palo Alto, California. After spending a year studying at Foothill Junior College in Menlo Park he transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences with a major in Farm Management.
Dan and Nancy Hartwich, daughter of Galen and Isabell Hartwich of Modesto, were married in Santa Maria, California, in 1961 followed by a move to Modesto to build their horse ranch. In 1971 their son Daniel (Stash) Easton was born. Dan was a very successful cutting horse trainer and farrier in addition to breeding, training and showing American Quarter Horses.
Dan’s later years were spent in Hilmar, California working as a farrier and farming his property. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Louise. He is survived by his son (Stash) and sister (Virginia), his former wife, Nancy, daughter-in-law, Tegan Easton and his three grandchildren: Galen, Thompson, and Nelson Easton. Though he didn’t travel much, he loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also has four nieces and nephews: Margaret Guzzardo (Joe), Melissa Hemphill (Rod), Matthew Morris (Karen) and Michael Morris (Kathleen). There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date when the grandchildren and will be here.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com for the EASTON family.
