Obituary of Daniel Olea Sepulveda

Daniel Olea Sepúlveda, 83, died unexpectedly July 1, 2020 after a brief stay in the hospital.  Words cannot express the sadness so many are currently feeling on his behalf.  Daniel was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rosario "Rose" Sepúlveda, whom we lost 24 years ago, parents Manuel and Hortencia Sepúlveda, brothers Ray, Francisco, Ernesto, and sisters Leonor Teran and Alicia Bickford.  Daniel is survived by his only daughter Ysela Sepúlveda Welding of Tucson and only son Daniel Rodriguez Sepúlveda Jr of Glendale; cherished grandfather of Steven Brent Sepúlveda Welding, his pride and joy, and the light of his life Maiah Rose Sepúlveda Welding; precious great grandfather of Julian Jackson Welding who was deeply adored by Daniel otherwise known as "Baka".  His only surviving sibling is Evangeline Zapata of Silver City New Mexico.  There are many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews across Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Tennessee and Mexico who are expressing their grief at the loss of "Uncle Danny" and who have reached out during these unequivocal times to try and understand this loss.  

Daniel was born in Deming, New Mexico August 3, 1936 where he spoke affectionately of times spent growing up near the now non-existent town of Santa Rita New Mexico which was regarded as the "Town in the Sky" due to the Chino copper mine that took over the land relocating every house and building that was Santa Rita. He also had a proud claim to having Native American roots with the Mimbres Apache which explained his distinct cheekbones.  His childhood was divided at times with living in different homes (grandparents or siblings) due to the size of his family.  This afforded him a different view of life that he grew to appreciate whether it was a cowboy lifestyle on a ranch or just small town living.  His father's jobs would take the family to California then to Arizona where they settled in Nogales Arizona when Daniel was of high school age.  There he flourished as an athlete and where he had the nickname "Dos" Spanish for "Two" because of his initials.  Daniel would speak of being president of the Christian Youth Organization and how being a practicing Catholic was vital and a constant influence in his life.

Once he graduated from Nogales High School in 1955 Daniel directed his life path towards the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton.  Anyone who knew him or had the pleasure to speak to him would see how he exemplified being a Marine, from his rigid stand-tall stance to his high and tight haircut. His first bragging rights were when he became a sergeant at 21 years of age and noted there was not another sergeant that young at Pendleton, and he was regarded highly by his commanders.  He would reference cold weather training where weeks were spent in the snowy mountains of California; then there was Sea School that was for the elite (best of the best of the best!...sir!); serving on the USS Roosevelt where he was in charge of the "Brig". Being on that ship showed him Europe, the Mediterranean, and a crossing of the Panama Canal; to Courier duty (he would be that guy with an attache case handcuffed to his wrist delivering documents to Washington).  Daniel glorified being a Marine and would be exhilarated when years after he left the Corps he would get the compliment that he still "looked Marine".  HOO Rahh...

Daniel would have been a career Marine and was called a "Chief" by his fellow Marines but he felt the need to obtain his education.  After his four year tour of duty he returned home where he enrolled at the University of Arizona, where other than his beloved wife, he became a very proud Wildcat! (Bear Down!) and did accomplish obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Business and Public Administration.  He did need a source of income as he did his studies so decided to become a police officer with theTucson Police Department (TPD) like his brother Ray but they were not hiring.  Daniel said he then just walked across the street and "signed up" for an academy for the Tucson Fire Department (TFD) thinking he would remain there until TPD began hiring again.  He found his passion in TFD and never looked back.  The code three runs (lights and sirens for those who don't know), the structure fires, the life saving moments and the lives lost moments, the accomplishments becoming an engineer, at times getting to play Captain, the personnel officer working downtown, the many brothers and sisters that were his TFD family. The familiar names that would be heard around the house would be Jim Armstrong, Bill Martin, Aurelio Lopez and too many others to mention.  We would hear about the stories involving the "boots" and the ridicule they would endure and getting to meet Duke the Fire Dog at station 6.  All and so much more that was this thirty year career.  After he retired whenever he would hear the sirens in the distance he would look in the direction and say, "There go the boys". 

Although he was in his eighties he was remarkably healthy, at first doing a push up and sit up for every day of his life.  Then one day he decided to just continue the effort and ended up doing 100 push ups and sit ups everyday. That was the Marine way.  Things did afflict Daniel leading him to overcome some health obstacles including a broken hip in 2012, his intestines twisting and having two feet removed in 2016, Prostate cancer in 2019 that he successfully overcame with radiation. On June 24th he was discovered in a confused state while at home by his daughter Ysela. TFD Engine 12 arrived and stated he had a temperature and fluid in his lungs. He was transported to the hospital where he was diagnosed positive with Covid19. He had also fallen at some point and fractured his left hip. Daniel underwent hip surgery and got a full replacement. The day after surgery he went into respiratory distress and despite having optimal numbers with his oxygen earlier in the day his Covid ravaged lungs could no longer function. Daniel passed away at 11:10 pm. A healthy strong individual whom so many admired was gone in one week. 

Daniel lived life to the fullest. He would state that he had a "good life" and had seen many things. He was a social butterfly who could make friends at the drop of a hat. He felt the need to extend a helping hand and always looked at it as being altruistic. He was an amazing person that was the representation of father and grandfather for many extended friends. Everyone simply loved him. He was a flirt and liked to make an impression, he liked to be noticed as a sharp dresser.  In his early years as a Nogales high schooler he brought the James Dean look to the small town wearing jeans with a belt, a white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up and cigarettes tucked in the sleeve. Of course it helped that he drove a Thunderbird which caught the attention of many.  To his dismay once he was married to his beloved wife and had a beloved daughter the Thunderbird went away, exchanged for a more practical vehicle, a Mustang. His strength, discipline, organization, persistence, intelligence and personal philosophy of always striving to do better is what made him a role model for so many.

Daniel was tragically taken and we will miss this great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend.  He is and always will be remembered by all with a smile on their face. For now we can look to the heavens and say Semper Fi Marine, Semper Fi.