November 14, 1961 – March 1, 2020
Daniel Morse Therrell of Palestine, Texas passed away in the early morning hours of March 1st, 2020 surrounded by his daughters and loving wife. He was 58 years old.
Dan (as friends and family knew him) was born November 14, 1961 to Grover Demar and Olive Jeannette Therrell in Marshall, Texas. He was the fourth and youngest of his siblings Colette, Becky, and Fred.
Dan graduated from Palestine High School in 1980 to a standing ovation from teachers and friends for all the hard work he had done, having worked full time as a donut shop manager after the loss of his parents while he completed high school. He became known as “Dan the Donut Man” for some time, until he was offered the opportunity to work as a diesel mechanic – a career that would allow him to pursue his love of learning about the way things worked. He spent time working for John’s Auto and Truck, Palestine ISD before retiring due to his health.
Dan was a special character who could make you laugh until your sides hurt. He was the best friend you could hope for in a bind. He threw great parties but managed to keep house when he needed to. He was shy but could also talk your ear off when he had learned something new and exciting. Dan asked a lot of questions – he loved to learn and passed that love to his daughters. He was an amazing storyteller who read to his children whenever they would ask him to, sure to always add expression and change voices for characters. Dan loved playing dominos and spades, being playful and sarcastic, reading books of all kinds, and gave the best hugs in the world. He taught his trade to many but was most proud that his nephew, Terry Dan Drake, became a mechanic like him. He loved with his whole heart – especially his wife Vicki and his children.
Dan was preceded in death by his father Grover Demar Therrell, mother Olive Jeannette Morse Therrell, and his brother Fred Therrell. He is survived by his wife, Vicki Lynn Therrell; sister Becky Drake; sister and brother-in-law Collette and Lenard Fritz; daughter Sandra Therrell; daughter and son-in-law Nikki and Derrick Fannin; step-daughter Shannon Rogers; step-son Jason Humphreys; step-son Chris Richson; granddaughters Nellie Fannin, Lillie Fannin, and Emma White; grandson Joe White; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Per his wishes, there will not be a viewing, ceremony, or burial for Dan. He preferred to be remembered in happier ways – and his family asks that you spend some time listening to music that makes you think of him, telling stories of the good old days, and knowing that he kept you in his heart even if he was too shy to give you a call. Enjoy a cold glass of Coca-Cola, play some spades or dominos, and know that he will live on in all we do that we learned from him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dan’s honor to The American Lung Association to help fight pulmonary fibrosis.
