Born the 8th child in his family on Saturday, October 7, 1939, in San Antonio, Texas, Daniel had a sense of adventure, determination, and confidence to succeed in life. He was raised to be a hard worker and to contribute to the well-being of his large family. He carried his strong sense of community honorably, pursuing his interests responsibly by enlisting of his own volition into the US Coast Guard to serve his country during the draft and to serve his community when asked. He was honored to be a United States Veteran.
He was a proud graduate of San Antonio Vocational Technical High School, where he served as a Cadet Lt Col in ROTC and studied to become an electrician, learning about electricity and electric motors, which became his livelihood. He attended San Antonio College night school.
He held several jobs at once to support his family, working at San Antonio Packing and Massengale Armature, and at one time even held a third job to support his growing family before starting his own business.
He married the one true love of his life, “Janie” Juanita née Villarreal, and together they started Alamo Electric Motor Company, INC, working side by side each day, owning and operating “The Shop" for 46 years, repairing, rewinding, and rebuilding electric motors while providing customers with exceptional service. Daniel could repair and build most anything.
He enjoyed working and hunting on the ranch, where he and Janie built a second home for their family. They invited family and friends to enjoy the country with them, along with Daniel’s specialty, a home-cooked barbecue meal. They looked forward to their weekends spent at “the ranch."
Once retired, Daniel took great joy in serving at the 9 AM mass at the Oblate Grotto, helping collect tithes and assisting in feeding God’s people as a Eucharistic Minister.
Daniel was a truly special, kind, and loving gentleman with a kind heart who had the gift of making everyone around him laugh and feel comfortable. Many family members sought him out for guidance and counsel. He was an incredibly loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will most certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Daniel was a faithful and devoted husband for 60 years and is survived by his loving wife, Janie Villarreal Medina, who never left his side. He is the beloved father of his daughter, Marisela Medina Pickering; his son, David Christopher Medina, and his wife, Christine; and his grandchildren, Annemarie Ellen Pickering and William Roman Pickering, who brought him immense joy and laughter and were his whole world. He is also survived by his loving sisters-in-law, Evangelina Villarreal Kriewald, Leticia Villarreal, and Delfina Medina; his brother, Al Medina (Mary Alice); and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his beloved son, Danny Medina, Jr.; his parents-in-law, Anita and Roman Villarreal; and his brother-in-law, Melvin Kriewald. His parents, Carolina Carballo and Heliodoro Hinojosa Medina; his sisters: Maria Esparza (Jose), Virginia Stein (Sal), Natividad Falcon (Henry), and Julia Medina; and his brothers: Raul Medina, Ramon Medina, and Julio Medina.
Pallbearers:
Faustino Arredondo, Manuel Cadena Jr., Mark Cadena, Louis Garza, William Roman Pickering, Salvador Stein III, Mark Zamora, Jesse Villareal Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers:
Joe Morales, Rick McLeod, Robert Peters
The family wishes to thank the many family members and friends who prayed for Daniel over the years, especially Leticia Villarreal, his sister-in-law, who provided comforting meals over the past 3 years and helped care for Daniel; the Guadalupanas of Holy Spirit; the Eucharistic Homebound Ministry of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; the Divine Mercy Cenacle of St. Anthony de Padua; and the Lay MSC’s of St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church.
In memory of Daniel C. Medina, if you wish, donations may be made to the Lourdes Grotto & Tepayac de San Antonio Shrine. 5712 Blanco Rd. San Antonio, Texas 78216 https://grottosa.org/donate/
210-342-9864
