Daniel Tuiava Pule

Dan was born July 3, 1954, in Santa Ana, California, the first of 6 children born to Suetena and Hazel (Jones) Pule. After graduating from Dominguez High School, Compton California, where he was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Dan joined the United States Air Force in 1976 in the Aircraft Communication and Navigation Systems career field.

During his 24 years of service in the Air Force, Dan was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB), Washington; Spangdahlem Air Base (AB), Germany; Andrews AFB, Maryland; RAF Alconbury United Kingdom (UK), RAF Mildenhall, UK, and McConnell AFB, Kansas. He also had temporary duty assignments in Italy, Spain, Norway, Guam and the Philippines. His military honors include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster (OLC); AF Commendation Medal with three OLC; Joint Meritorious Unit Awar; AF Outstanding Unit Award with five OLC; AF Good Conduct Medal with six OLC; Armed Forces Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon with one OLC, and numerous other military awards. While assigned to RAF Mildenhall, Dan’s leadership, skills and innovation were recognized within his organization, and he was chosen as the 352nd Special Operations Wing 1996 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Dan retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant in July 2000.

Dan and his wife Patricia (Patie) met while both were stationed at Andrews AFB, and they married on April 30, 1988. After Dan’s USAF retirement they moved to Elkton, Maryland, where Dan tried his hand as a licensed realtor in the northeast Maryland and Delaware areas. After a few successful sales, Dan and Patie decided it was time to follow his dream and they moved to Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. In between his becoming a certified SCUBA diver and learning to play the ukulele, Dan worked as an electronics technician for Antenna Audio, repairing multi-lingual MP3 players provided to visitors for

tours of the Pearl Harbor Memorial. While living in Hawaii Dan took the opportunity to travel to American Samoa, “the trip of a lifetime”, to visit with his paternal family.

Leaving Hawaii wasn’t easy, but eventually the couple returned to the mainland to be closer to family, and Dan found employment with the Department of Defense at Tobyhanna Army Depot, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania. He oversaw electronics repair teams as they overhauled and upgraded Firefinder Radar Systems. This assignment provided a new adventure for Dan, as it sent him on a 6-month temporary assignment to Balad Air Base, Iraq in 2010. A few years later Dan transferred to a new position, and he implemented in-shop repairs and in-field installations and upgrades to strategic ground radar systems used to train combat pilots. This position had him on the road much of the time, traveling to New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Germany, and Korea. In July 2020, after 11 years at TYAD, Dan retired with over 35 years of combined government service.

Dan and his wife moved to Crystal River, Florida in August 2020. He had been an American Legion member for 36 years; initially at Post 259 in Clinton, Maryland; then transferred to Wilson-Fischer Post 413, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania, where he served as Adjutant; and lastly transferred to Blanton-Thompson Post 155, Crystal River, Florida. He was a valued member of the 155, serving as Post Sergeant-at-Arms and most recently, as 3rd Vice Commander. Dan was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 155 and was Director of American Legion Riders Chapter 155 for two years. In addition, Dan proudly served as a member of the Post 155 Honor Guard and was active in the Veterans in the Classroom program in Citrus County. When not volunteering at Post 155, Dan and his Patie could be found traveling, or at home fostering kittens for the Citrus County Animal Shelter.

Dan’s was a caring and generous person brought joy and laughter to those around him. If you were in need, he didn’t hesitate to help in any way he could. In 2019 he cut his long hair to donate to Locks of Love and was in the process of growing his hair again for a second donation. Displaying his ultimate gift of generosity, Dan was a registered Organ Donor. In his passing, at least two other individuals have received a renewed quality of life.

Dan’s passion was riding his (Air Force blue!!) Harley. Rain or shine, short distances or long (in 2022 he rode round trip from Florida to Oregon); alone or in a Poker-Run, in an escort, in a holiday parade, or in a community fundraiser, Dan could be found on his bike. If there wasn’t a ride scheduled, you could count on Dan to put one together. He always sought the feel of the sun and wind on his face.

In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by son, Dameion Pule. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Brennan) Pule, sons Chad Austin and Cory Jones, daughter Michelle Bolla, siblings Filemu (Lua’au) Pule, Tone (Sheila) Pule, Tinoi Cady, Hazel Faaali Pule, Pelenatete Murphy, Randolth (Valerie) Davis and Cecelia Davis, plus many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and a great-grandson.

A Celebration of Life for Dan will be held on Monday, MARCH 17, 2025, 11:00 am, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1070 North Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, Florida, followed immediately by a service with military honors, at the same location. A reception open to Dan’s family, friends, and acquaintances follows at American Legion Post 155, 6585 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy/Route 44, Crystal River, Florida, from 1 to 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks you donate in Memory of Dan Pule, to Citrus County Animal Services New Shelter Fund, 4030 S. Airport Rd., Inverness, FL 34450. If you would like to donate to a 501(c)3 you can make a check payable to CCFAP, P.O. Box 1164, Inverness, FL 34451. Notate on the check that it is for the New Shelter Fund in Memory of Dan Pule.