Daniel David Pineda

Weslaco/Mercedes - Daniel David Pineda, of Mercedes, Texas rode into heaven on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at his home in Weslaco, TX. He died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 69.

Daniel was born in Weslaco, Texas, on October 6, 1947 to Alejo and Rachel C. Pineda. The old-est of three children, he was raised on a farm outside Mercedes. He attended Mercedes High School, where he was president of the FFA. Upon graduation in 1967, he volunteered to join the United States Army, where he served with the 25th Infantry Division, Tropic Lightning, out of Hawaii. He served a one year tour of duty in Vietnam from January 1969 to January 1970, rais-ing to the rank of Staff Sergeant and being awarded a National Defense Service Medal, a Bronze Star Medal, and an Army Commendation Medal, among others. He was an M-14 Sharp-shooter and an M-16 Expert. He returned stateside to complete his military service at Ft. Ben-ning, GA and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1971.

Daniel returned to Mercedes, and he enrolled at Pan American University under the GI Bill. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Sociology with a minor in History in 1977, and began his career as a social worker with Texas Child and Family Services. In 1981, he was hired by U.S. Postal Service, and worked as a letter carrier at the Mercedes Post Office for 34 years. During this time, he became known for going above and beyond his duties of delivering mail, providing excellent service to his customers, making sure they always had stamps and stayed cool during the hot summer months. Not only did his customers miss him when he retired in 2015, but so did the cats and dogs he befriended on along the way. It is said that there wasn't a customer or dog on his route who didn't like him, and he could be seen delivering the mail throughout Mercedes daily, followed by a pack of his furry friends.

As a veteran, a patriotic American and an avid motorcyclist, Daniel rode countless miles on his motorcycles, many of them in March during the annual Texas Vietnam Welcome Home Motor-cycle Run on U.S. Highway 83 from Perryton, Texas to Brownsville, Texas, in remembrance of Vietnam veterans who never returned home. He was also an active member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Texas Chapter 23-15, Rio Grande Valley, whose mission is to help veterans, and the Patriot Guard Riders, with whom he volunteered his time to escort deceased veterans to their final resting place.

Daniel spent many hours in his garage working on his bikes and on his '66 Mustang, in which he would take his daughters joy riding on the levees with a hardy "Whoa, Nelly!" and "Hi-oh-Silver, Away!" He was a lifelong fan of the Mercedes Tigers, the Pan Am Broncs, the Dallas Cowboys and George Strait. He also enjoyed The Lone Ranger television series, reading the morning paper with a cup of coffee, tending to his yard, traveling, and spending time with his family. Daniel will be remembered for his selflessness, sense of adventure, extraordinary work ethic, easy-going nature and friendly smile. He was a good man, and he will be missed very much by all those who knew him. We thank God for bringing him into our lives. The Pineda family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude to everyone who visited with Daniel during the final weeks of his life.

Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Alejo and Rachel C. Pineda. He is survived by his wife, Anita, who was the love of his life, and with whom he shared 44 years of marriage, and by his two daughters whom he loved endlessly, Michelle Pineda-Anzaldua, of Mercedes, married to Tony Anzaldua, III, and Rachel Pineda, of Plainville, Connecticut, engaged to Joshua Woodruff, his four grandchildren Tony, IV, Daniel, Katarina and Austin. Also survived by his brother Saul (Joana) Pineda and his sister Elma (Mark) Raney, of Albuquerque, NM, his aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and cherished enormously. He is also survived by his cat, Patches.

Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2017 at Garcia-Treviño Funeral Home in Mercedes, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2017, at Our Lady of Mercy Church at 10:00 a.m. in Mercedes, Texas, followed by a motorcycle escort to his internment with full military honors into his final resting place at Ebony Grove Cemetery in Mercedes, Texas where he will rest eternally with his parents overlooking their farm. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes, TX.