Daniel Symms

1961 - 2014

Daniel Thomas Symms
November 4, 1961 - October 7, 2014
Daniel Thomas Symms, of Caldwell, Idaho, passed away Tuesday afternoon at the age of 52 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family and many devoted friends.
Dan was born in Helena, Montana, November 4, 1961, the first child of Steven and Frances Stockdale Symms. He grew up on Symms Fruit Ranch with his three loving sisters and many cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. At the age of six, he worked on the farm picking fruit. Even at that very young age, he knew he wanted to spend his life in Idaho, working the family farm.
When Dan was in grade school, he moved with his family to Washington, DC, to follow his father's political career. He liked to spend his summers in Sunny Slope and in high school he took night classes in Virginia to graduate early and hasten his return to Caldwell.
In 1983, Dan graduated from the College of Idaho with a degree in management and marketing. It was there that he met the love of his life, Linda Phalen. They were married July 16, 1983 and later had three children, John Thomas , Sally Megan and Lois Jane. As a family, they enjoyed skiing together and hiking and exploring in the Owyhee mountains. Dan and Linda were dedicated partners in raising their children.
Throughout his working life, Dan was an integral part of Symms Fruit Ranch, helping the family business see its 100th anniversary, which was celebrated August 1, 2014. During more than 30 years of service, Dan worked there in every capacity. Most recently, he led the sales department, cultivating relationships with customers across the United States, throughout 42 countries and six continents. He was respected and admired by his customers, employees and colleagues.
Professionally, he held leadership positions on the Idaho Apple Commission, the Idaho Cherry Commission, the Idaho Horticulture Society, the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association and as a board member on the Northwest Fruit.
From an early age, Dan was exposed to political philosophy. He spent his life studying and promoting the ideals of freedom, individual responsibility and liberty. This philosophy led Dan to treat everyone he met with respect and consideration. His interest in the freedom philosophy led him to join others with a like mind. He served as a trustee of the Smeed Foundation, and also served on the board of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. Serving on the board of trustees of the Brandt Foundation was another opportunity to promote the freedom philosophy and help his fellow man.
Dan was baptized as a baby in the Presbyterian Church. As many people do, he went to church for many years, and at other times he didn't attend regularly. Recently he realized the importance of faith in Christ. One year ago he was confirmed and became a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
He had a curious mind and was voracious reader. His quick wit and intellect would open your mind to broader view, especially because of his ability to say a lot in just a few words. His sense of humor often broke the ice and cheered his friends.
Dan Symms is survived by his wife Linda, son John (Annie Mannschreck) Symms, daughters Sally Symms and Lois (Alex) Salinas Jr., his mother Frances, father Steve and step-mother, Loretta, and sisters Susan (Darris) Stauffer, Amy (Charlie) Crabtree and Katy (Steve) Senkus, in-laws Mary and Mark Olin, Margie and Jeff Robberson, Stephen and Janice Phalen, Susan and Mike Quilici. Many other relatives and friends will grieve his loss. Two months before his passing, Dan and Linda welcomed their first grandchild, Lavender Jane Symms, to the family.
The Symms family will host a viewing with a service of remembrance on Friday, October 10, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Deer Flat Free Methodist Church, 17703 Beet Road in Caldwell. The formal memorial service will be Saturday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 2700 South Kimball Road in Caldwell. A reception will immediately follow at the church.
Donations can be given to Idaho Freedom Foundation or Grace Lutheran Church.
Funeral arrangements are provided by Dakan Funeral Chapel. 208-459-3629, www.dakanfuneralchapel.com