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In memory of

Daniel Lee Fadness

Grants Pass, OR, USA

June 25, 1940 - June 7, 2020

Jun 25, 1940 - Jun 7, 2020

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Daniel Lee Fadness made his debut on June 25th, 1940 in Tyler, Minnesota as the first of seven children. His family soon moved to the neighboring town of Pipestone, where he got his first childhood job trudging through the snow, uphill both ways, delivering newspapers. Other jobs soon followed and through his teens he worked at a gas station, a dairy, and an autobody shop to help support his family.

After the rest of the family moved to California, Dan at age 17 stayed behind, living in a neighbor's shed to finish his high school diploma.

An exceptionally bright man, Dan owed his scholastic success to the girls he charmed into doing his homework for him, as he preferred to cut class and sneak over to the corner store to share a Coke with another girl.

Upon graduating in 1958, Dan joined his family in Los Angeles, where he soon got a job as a mechanic for the city of Beverly Hills. He also met the exceedingly patient woman who would become his wife of 59 years, Goldie. Together they had a son, Daniel Jr. and daughter Robin. Over the years, Dan served as a Boy Scout leader and Little League coach, while Goldie was a Campfire leader. They acted as parents or grandparents to a number of children that passed through their home, their beloved granddaughters Jessica and Aimee in particular.

In 1990, Dan and Goldie moved to Grants Pass, OR. They purchased 5 acres and over the years filled it with a menagerie that included dogs, cats, horses, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cows, goats, and a llama. Dan adored every single one.

In his later years, Dan grew to look more and more like Santa Claus and delighted when random children mistook him as such, and would rarely be without a Santa hat and candy canes during the holidays. The rest of the year, he could be seen puttering about in one of his signature trucker's hats, jeans with suspenders, and a t-shirt in the previous decade's fashion.

Dan would have attributed his longevity to sheer orneriness, a diet rich in white bread and peanut butter, and to make sure nobody touched his tools.

Daniel passed away on June 7th 2020. He was predeceased by his parents Mildred and Arlie Fadness, his son Daniel Fadness Jr., and siblings Ricky, Barbara and John. He is survived by the love of his life, Goldie Fadness, daughter Robin Sausedo, granddaughters Jessica Fadness and Aimee Sausedo, and siblings Arlene, Mike and Julie. To his family he has left behind a lifetime of memories and a meticulously sorted collection of valueless odds and ends which "might be useful someday."

A ceremony will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, June 16th at Woodville Cemetery in Rogue River.

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