Daniel is also survived by his three aunts, the sisters of his mother, Donna Darrrell Bates Walker: Ruth Marie Bates Huntley, of Lone Tree, Colorado; Joan Carol Bates, of Austin, Texas; and Trudy Darlene Bates Van Dyke, of Carmel Valley, California. All formerly students at Caprock High School, in Amarillo.
I am “Aunt Joanie”. Donna and I are Irish twins. She and I are the same age for more than a month. We were fiercely competitive as children, which resulted in a fierce bond between us as adults. As they say—what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger!
I am writing about a trip I took with Daniel to visit my longtime friend Roger Jordan. Roger had recently lost his wife, Edna, to Covid. They had retired and moved to a small beach home in Brazil. They had been there only a few months when Edna became ill. Brazil is where they had met and fallen in love decades earlier, and where Edna’s family lived. Roger had returned to the states, sold his home in Round Rock and moved to live in solitude in NM.
Roger, like Daniel was always building something. Roger is still writing computer code and building the hardware for environmental testing equipment (used around the world) and in his “free time” working on everything else! At the time, he building a full solar array with massive batteries and scary looking power panels. I clearly had no business messing with this. I was driving up in the maiden voyage of my motor home. I stopped in Bushland for the sole purpose of annoying my sweetest and kindest sister, Donna, and to be charmed by my, well—charming nephews. These two guys always made me feel like family royalty. Taking great pleasure in telling me jokes and engaging me with the great sense of humor they inherited from both sides of the family— but they were at their best when channeling their dad, Jesse! Donna was leaving soon with John and Stephanie—destination: famous national park. After clearing it with Roger, I asked Daniel if he would like to join me—destination very un-famous tiny community in NE Mexico. Daniel threw some clothes in a sack, gave his goodbyes and hopped onboard.
I awoke the first morning to the harmony of Daniel and Roger engaged in deep and happy conversation in the garage outside my motor home. Overnight and in the early hours of the morning, they had already become instant long time friends and buddies. Roger was always content with his own company. As was Daniel. But for those two weeks they worked together like two hands of the same person. Several times Roger regaled me with descriptions and praise for Daniel’s knowledge and gift for seeing and resolving issues that had vexed him, while working alone. At the end of the day, I was put away; and they would continue their easy friendship in the house.
After that trip, I began to see Daniel as I had never seen him before. I stopped seeing his disabilities. Now, I saw a humble man who possessed substantial problem solving and reasoning. I could now see him as a man with substantial skills and the ability to impress the not easily impressed.
I am heartbroken that I have lost this sweet soul from my life. I am heartbroken that his family must go on without his humor, charm and enormous ability to fix anything needs fix in’.
But he is now with his Lord and Savior. Do as you have always done darling Daniel—grace the table of the Lord with your wit. I can think of nothing more appropriate than Daniel making Jesus snort in pure joy and laughter.