Danny Herrera

1945 ~ 2016
"Dan the Man has left the Building"

Danny died April 11, 2016 at home surrounded by his loved ones. Though cancer ultimately overcame Danny, he fought it bravely and valiantly over many years, never losing his strong zest for life. Danny left us joking and singing until the very end.

Danny was born February 21, 1945 to Jose Elinor Herrera and Lucia Rivera in Taos, New Mexico. He was the 9th of 13 children. Danny graduated from Taos High School. Shortly after graduation he moved to Grantsville, Utah where he worked for six years. He then was drafted into the U.S. Army where he proudly and honorably served his country for 2 years.

He received his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, then went on to serve one year in Vietnam where he received numerous medals and badges. After returning from Vietnam, he came back to Utah, where Danny met and married the true love of his life, Rita Samora.

Together they had 4 children; Lisa (Joe) Cisneros, Danny "Kino" Herrera, LaFrance Herrera, and Angel (Arnulfo) Hernandez. They also raised their first grandchild, Margarita (Moises) Garcia. Danny was the proud grandfather of 14, as well as a great grandfather to 14; most of whom he would see on a daily basis. He loved to sing "Day-O" (The Banana Boat Song) to all his grand and great grandchildren as he joyously bounced them on his knee.

Saturday mornings were reserved for himself and his "Baby Cakes" (Rita) to hit every yard sale this side of the Mississippi. Come Sunday, he would grab his "Zebco 33 Classic" and head to Current Creek to try and catch the big one; "Edgar" as he called him. When it came time to relaxing, you could find him sitting under his favorite apple tree which mysteriously grew into 2 different types of trees. Danny was a man with a heart of gold and would truly give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

He is survived by his loving wife Rita, his four children, son in laws, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings: Alice Cardenas, Roger Herrera, Olivia Herrera Large, Rose Rael, Nora Sanchez, Patricia Young, Irene Martinez, and many sister in laws, brother in laws, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Jose Elinor and Lucia Herrera, brothers Alex, George, Elias, Raymond and sister Ida Medina, as well as Rita's parents: Ernesto and Cordelia Samora, and brother-in-law Raul Samora.

Please join us on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Redwood Memorial Estates in the chapel (6500 South Redwood Road) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for Dan's viewing followed by a Rosary Service. Mass will be at St. Peter & Paul Church (3560 South 3650 West) on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon.

The family would like to thank Dr. Harrington and Dr. Weis from the Salt Lake City VA Hospital, his Hospice Nurse Traci Dickie, his son-in-law Joe Cisneros, his children, and his grandchildren that were there to help out grandma and grandpa. We'd especially like to thank his daughter Angel Hernandez, who despite her own challenges, was there for her father without fail; whether it was to get him his 4 a.m. coffee, drive him to doctor appointments, or helping with a myriad of other tasks.

Danny was a truly amazing man that was loved and respected by many, and will be missed immensely. Any man who met Danny was a stranger no longer.

We love you Daddy.