Daniel Foe Obituary

Daniel De Foe Jan. 5, 1926 - Sept. 12, 2012 Daniel De Foe was born on January 5, 1926, in Fresno, California. His family lived in Tulare, Ca., where he spent his childhood and attended school. During his primary school years, he discovered he had a passion for playing music, especially the clarinet and later the saxophone and bassoon, which he enjoyed throughout his long life. He was an active member of his class at Tulare Union High School: acting as Drum Major, assembling his own jazz orchestra, leading many school dances, and eventually becoming high school class president. After graduating high school at the top of his class for science in 1943, Daniel reported to the University of Southern California where he qualified for the V-12 Naval Program and served as a cadet in the Naval R.O.T.C. He was later one of ten students selected to transfer to the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to continue officer training. Shortly after his transfer to New Mexico, in 1944, he was appointed to West Point Military Academy in New York. He became an active member in the Cadet Glee Club and Chapel Choir, and assembled his own jazz band and cadet dance orchestra in which he composed and directed all the music for the annual West Point musical extravaganza. Upon graduating the academy in 1948, Daniel married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Brown, and then was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force and was stationed for two years in Tucson, Arizona. In 1950, during the Korean War, he was deployed for two years in Tachikawa, Japan, at FEAMCOM Air Force Base. In keeping with his character and interests, and obliging the request of his commanding officer, he formed a jazz marching band there at the base. At the end of his tour, Daniel was stationed in San Francisco, California, and worked as an instructor of military tactics at San Francisco State University for the U.S. Air Force. After one year of teaching duties, De Foe retired from military service, returning home to the family ranch in Tipton, where he would dedicate the rest of his life to his family, local affairs, and community service. Once back in civilian life, Daniel took over his father-in-law's poultry business, expanding it from a small 500-bird flock to over 12,000 by the time he sold the business in 1969. During this period of time, in addition to running the ranch, Daniel busied himself with raising his three sons, enjoying time with his wife, Mary Lou, and taking an active role in many community activities. He acted as Cub Scout Master, Little League Manager and Coach, PTA officer, and member of the Tipton and Tulare School Boards (a role in which he had the pleasure of handing his three sons their high school diplomas). He also served as Church Choir Director, and regularly played in a dance band and the Tulare County Symphony. In 1970, Daniel returned to the field of education, this time to teach sixth grade at Tipton Elementary, where he taught for several years. Later, he accepted the job of Principal and Band Director at Pixley Union School, where he remained until his retirement in 1979. Until his last day on earth, Daniel was a dedicated, loving husband, and a supportive father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is predeceased by his son, Michael, and is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Mary Lou, his two sons Daniel and Gary, his four grandchildren: Jennifer, Daniel, Juliette and Danielle, and his nine great-grandchildren. He will ever be sorely missed. The family would like to thank all the home health aides that assisted in the care for Daniel, especially Rosa Garcia. The family will be holding private services. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society.

Published by Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on Sep. 18, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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I remember Mr. Defoe when I attended Pixley School in the 80s he was a nice and friendly man.

Connie Garcia Hernandez

Student

September 12, 2020

He was an amazing man who lived an amazing life. It was an honor to be a student at Pixley School under his leadership. Farewell Mr. De Foe, you are in our hearts forever.

Noelia Cantu

October 6, 2012

My sincere condolences,Peace and comfort be with you. Mr. De Foe was a fair Principal, an amazing Band Teacher and the mentor and role Model every Parent dreams of their son becoming. He was a GREAT Band Teacher.Greensleeves, Waves of Danube, Little Brown Jug and the Pixley Fight Song are songs that will continue to remind me of him. Now you have a new Band with the Angels. "Blessed Assurance" On Clairnet, Daniel De Foe. : )

Rita Cantu

October 4, 2012

Kathy Greene (Del Re)

October 4, 2012

Hi Gary,

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that I am praying for you and your family.

Patrick Hamilton

Patrick Hamilton

September 25, 2012

I am sorry for your loss, but glad you had him so long.

Lorraine Bostard (Belezzuoli)

September 24, 2012

The memories I will treasure are the ways Danny and Mary Lou were so loving to one another when I would see them. What a model of love and companionship. We will miss you, Danny!Much love to you Mary Lou!

Caitlin

September 22, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I will always remember him as my principle and band teacher.

Dernard Williams

September 21, 2012

My deepest sympathies for your family during this time of loss. May your memories outweigh your sorrows. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Carissa

September 20, 2012

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

September 20, 2012

He was a great role model and grandfather. I will miss him, but I will also have many great memories of Grandad to keep with me.

Danny DeFoe

September 20, 2012

A great man who will be greatly missed. Love you all!

Stacy DeFoe

September 20, 2012

Connie Garcia

September 19, 2012

Deepest sympathies,The Cantu family.

September 18, 2012

Mr De Foe was a wonderful delightful principal at Pixley Union Elem School. Our sympathies, the Cantu family, so talented.

Millie Cantu

September 18, 2012

Our sincerest sympathies to this wonderful family. Our prayers are with you in this time of great loss.

Melissa and Phillip Brewer

September 18, 2012

In your lifetime there are people who positively impact you life. Mr. De Foe was such a person in my life. When he was principal at Pixley school he always encouraged me, never had a discouraging word and helped me believe in myself. My prayers go out to his family. Just know that he changed the lives of many young people and for that we are all fortunate to have had him in our lives.

Manuel Lopez

September 18, 2012

Mr. DeFoe was my principal at Pixley School. He was the Kindest Gentle Giant of a man I ever met. I was in his office a few..ok quite a few times in my 8th grade year but he was always fair and really listened to the kid's side of things, not always taking the teacher's side. After I had been attacked by another student in homeroom and had to be out of school on medical release he came to my home just to check on me and make sure I was healing ok. He also made the change that year to having to sit alphabetical boy/girl for 8th grade graduation because the boy who had attacked me would have been sitting right next to me. He was a great asset to our little school back then. And I loved when he would play clarinet for us... My prayers for peace to his family.

Gail Wallace-Bullard

September 18, 2012

Mr. DE FOE was a great principle and teacher. They don't make them like him anymore.

Yvonne Marroquin

September 18, 2012

Dan was one of the finest men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. His marriage to Mary Lou was always a benchmark for my life. They were always so very much in love and it showed not matter where they went. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and am deeply grateful for his being a part of my life. Rest in peace dear sir, in the arms of angels. We will all be together soon in the kingdom of heaven. May God bless those who remain and give them peace for Dan truely lived his life well.

John Fitzpatrick

September 18, 2012

Mr.DeFoe was my principal in Pixley. He was a good teacher and just an all around good man. I'm sorry to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

David Perew

September 18, 2012

Mr. De Foe was my principal at Pixley school he was loved by the students, he was always fair and was very well respected he will always be a part of who we are and will be greatly missed. My condolences and prayers to his family.

Tammie Orr

September 18, 2012

My dad, Douglas Gilbert, knew Dan well. Maybe they are up there playing in a band together...that would be nice. I am sorry for your loss, I remember him as a very nice man. Love to you all. Diana (Jeannie Gilbert) Straub

September 18, 2012

Dan was a good husband, father, and grand father. A man of honesty and integrity.

Larry & Linette Thompson

September 18, 2012

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