Daniel James Palmer

November 14, 2003 – June 1, 2025

Words of Remembrance

Daniel James Palmer, born November 14th, 2003, entered the world as an active and passionate child, full of energy. He had genuine curiosity about how things worked and liked to question everything. He wanted to know the “why” in nearly every situation. He developed a strong relationship with his grandparents, who often cared for him and took him on adventures with his sister, exploring and satisfying his curiosity. He was introduced to the beauty of outdoor life and quickly developed a love for the beach, camping, hunting, and fishing, which never left him.

As a child, Danny was often labeled as quiet and bashful, something his family never understood because at home, he was quite the opposite. He excelled in school, receiving high marks in academics and citizenship. Danny had a love for animals, often assisting animals in distress and taking care of his pets at home with unconditional love for his dogs. Danny knew the Lord and participated in youth groups at multiple churches growing up, including Pantano Christian Church and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Danny’s greatest passion was his love of sports. Known best for his speed, Danny excelled at base running and “running the rock” on the gridiron. He loved watching his Arizona Cardinals and rarely met a sports podcast he didn’t like. In football, his sports family affectionately nicknamed him “Smiles” as he smiled at everything, even when the coaches yelled. In baseball, he was nicknamed “DP3” as he proudly wore No. 3 on his jersey. DP3 is a name that sticks with Danny to this day. He developed a love/hate relationship with golf during his late teen years and enjoyed golfing with his buddies and his dad.

Danny cherished spending time with his friends, particularly his close circle, and none more than Adian Duarte. The two of them clicked early on and held a bond that remains today. Danny attended the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, on an academic scholarship. He hit the ground running and fully embraced the college experience while maintaining his grades and working part-time. He truly loved the college life, experiencing his first serious girlfriend, tailgating, and socializing with his crew. One of Danny’s favorite things to do was listening to music while driving his Jeep, and he met the Lord doing what he loved.

Danny was treasured by his parents and family, and he will be greatly missed. He is with the Lord and now watches over us from Heaven. Daniel is survived by his parents, Jeff and Beth; sister Katie (Tristian); brother Matthew; niece Sarah; aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents and several extended family members.