Donation protected
Dan was a man with a presence that was larger than life and had a heart of gold. He was a loving husband and stepfather trying to survive on disability and battling his constant health problems. Even though he struggled his family and friends always came first. He also loved and treated his five dogs like family, they were his babies. Seeing any sort of injustices towards any living creature would bring this iron man to tears. On April 19, 2019 Dan suddenly passed away, it was a shocking and devastating loss.
While Dan was in high school his dad saw his talent when it came to training and saw his great athleticism. He gave him two options, to play baseball or football. Dan had a love for football and it took him all the way to the NFL. He played as a defensive end for the San Diego Chargers.Dan’s favorite movie was “Remember the Titans”. It brought him to tears every time he watched it because he truly understood what it took for athletes and anyone who had enough drive and dedication to make their goals a reality. He was able to continue his training in the gym after his NFL career.
His second love was the gym. Being available for anyone who needed help achieving their fitness goals. That is what kept Dan alive, fighting to stay healthy. Making those connections with people an sharing his knowledge. For him, the gym truly was his home away from home. It is where he thrived and was able to find purpose being able to help others. He loved being able to share his years of experience in the gym, that is how he met his wife, Sharon. They both had passion and drive when it came to their training. They got married and for several years after trained together to compete in bodybuilding competitions.
As the years went on, Dan’s body could not keep up with the life he wanted to live. His health problems became his and Sharon’s main concerns. All of their finances went to covering his many surgeries. There was also a devastating car accident and in the last ten years some of the surgeries included a hip replacement, double bypass, spinal surgery, ICD surgery, and a Cardioversion. Besides the surgeries he was also battling many respiratory illnesses. With all of their finances going to his medical needs they found themselves in a very difficult situation. Sharon is left with outstanding expenses and funeral costs. Any donations towards these expenses are truly and deeply appreciated to ease this burden.
Despite his health struggles he said he wasn’t afraid to die. He knew he would be at peace and welcomed by his late mother, grandmother and his babies. He knew God would make that decision when it was time and he was determined to fight until then, we just did not expect it would be so soon. He will always be remembered as a fighter in our hearts.
While Dan was in high school his dad saw his talent when it came to training and saw his great athleticism. He gave him two options, to play baseball or football. Dan had a love for football and it took him all the way to the NFL. He played as a defensive end for the San Diego Chargers.Dan’s favorite movie was “Remember the Titans”. It brought him to tears every time he watched it because he truly understood what it took for athletes and anyone who had enough drive and dedication to make their goals a reality. He was able to continue his training in the gym after his NFL career.
His second love was the gym. Being available for anyone who needed help achieving their fitness goals. That is what kept Dan alive, fighting to stay healthy. Making those connections with people an sharing his knowledge. For him, the gym truly was his home away from home. It is where he thrived and was able to find purpose being able to help others. He loved being able to share his years of experience in the gym, that is how he met his wife, Sharon. They both had passion and drive when it came to their training. They got married and for several years after trained together to compete in bodybuilding competitions.
As the years went on, Dan’s body could not keep up with the life he wanted to live. His health problems became his and Sharon’s main concerns. All of their finances went to covering his many surgeries. There was also a devastating car accident and in the last ten years some of the surgeries included a hip replacement, double bypass, spinal surgery, ICD surgery, and a Cardioversion. Besides the surgeries he was also battling many respiratory illnesses. With all of their finances going to his medical needs they found themselves in a very difficult situation. Sharon is left with outstanding expenses and funeral costs. Any donations towards these expenses are truly and deeply appreciated to ease this burden.
Despite his health struggles he said he wasn’t afraid to die. He knew he would be at peace and welcomed by his late mother, grandmother and his babies. He knew God would make that decision when it was time and he was determined to fight until then, we just did not expect it would be so soon. He will always be remembered as a fighter in our hearts.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kayla Martinez
Organizer
Gilroy, CA
Sharon Daughtrey
Beneficiary