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Daniel Thompson Obituary
66, of Gilbert passed away on May 15, 2015. Daniel was the son of Darrow and Ann Thompson and brother to Keith. Daniel was a pilot, geologist, permaculturalist, engineer, oilman, hunting and fishing and diving guide, artist, and nature guru. He traveled and worked around the world living ten years in Saudi Arabia. He was famous there for his diving and nicknamed Shark Man and Diver Dan by all those who learned to dive from him. Always in and close to nature, he was a man of the earth from another era. His inspiration to all of us was to observe the natural world in ways we were unaware. He had a smile for everyone and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Daniel is survived by his three daughters, Tara, Tiffany, and Tiana in whom he was most proud and his brother Keith. An outdoor memorial will be held for Daniel in Gilbert, AZ on June 6. Details are available on his Daniel Thompson Memorial Facebook page.
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Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Thompson
Steve G Cribbett
July 27, 2023
I've included a photo of Dan, Keith and my dearest friend Ann (draped in "Old Glory" the day she left us for more adventures).
Steve Cribbett
July 26, 2023
Of all the close older pals I´ve made thru this journey, "Danal" you have been by far the closest I will ever have as an older brother by another mother. I loved your mom Ann who I met about a year before bumping into you. You well knew that it was NOT a coincidence the day I called you on my way back from a Tucson claim, not having been by your place in about 4 months, that unknown to either of us your mom was calling me to come at once. One of the biggest honors of my entire life was to hold your mom´s hand and within about 15 min´s she left us that afternoon. Your mom was amazing and left a precious memory for me to keep. One of my all time favorite evenings was us two swappin´ fishing stories on Tonto Creek by our campfire, watching in wonder the splendor of our Milky Way, and as Brian K shared that we would feel the cool air off the mountains come in gentle tides about every 15 minutes as it cooled the hot July air. You and I were talking well after 1:00 am. Lt Dan, I´ve always been inspired by your adventurous approach to life and I didn´t realize what a "big brother" you were in my life until you left. Miss and love ya brother!! Steve C
Denise Bufton
May 31, 2015
Personality of epic proportion: as if it were his lone resppnsibility to make sure no one was ever bored in his presence! We always laughed. We were always entertained and frequently well fed. He slept in a hammock in my pine tree once for nearly a year. Dan marched to the beat of his heart and anyone was invited to join in if they wanted or for however long they could disengage from their own path.
Idiocyncratic, hero impersonator, fascinated by everything and willing to try not just anything bit all things he could get his focus around. He had no boundaries and recognized none. I would love to read excerpts of the big de-brief in the sky. And since dan is my cousin, i am sure eternity will supply us another couple of rounds to cook things up or sort them out... One couldn't predict what will suit Danny next. Be seein ya on Marduke or maybe in Paris. Wherever he goes he will be at home, but shakin it up for whomever is too sure they know the drill. Kiss kiss
Denise Bufton
May 31, 2015
Personality of epic proportion: as if it were his lone resppnsibility to make sure no one was ever bored in his presence! We always laughed. We were always entertained and frequently well fed. He slept in a hammock in my pine tree once for nearly a year. Dan marched to the beat of his heart and anyone was invited to join in if they wanted or for however long they could disengage from their own path.
Idiocyncratic, hero impersonator, fascinated by everything and willing to try not just anything bit all things he could get his focus around. He had no boundaries and recognized none. I would love to read excerpts of the big de-brief in the sky. And since dan is my cousin, i am sure eternity will supply us another couple of rounds to cook things up or sort them out... One couldn't predict what will suit Danny next. Be seein ya on Marduke or maybe in Paris. Wherever he goes he will be at home, but shakin it up for whomever is too sure they know the drill. Kiss kiss
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Lora Boge
May 31, 2015
I am forlorn. This is just a tragedy. I had hoped that once his elderly care giving time was over (with his parents) that he would have a new lease on life and begin to reap all the joys and rewards he so deserved. Instead he was struck down far too soon. He was a visionary and will be sorely missed by the world. I wish he had had the time to teach more people. I was blessed to know his garden and bring many there for the last ten years; I had no way of knowing that it would all be over so soon. A golden opportunity has been missed by so many.
Rosie and Rick Hartner
May 31, 2015
We remember Dan as a cheerful, curious, and congenial hiker and participant on the
Kirkland Peak Climb in 2008 with us, eager to share his homemade food for our " safari" of an adventure here. Dan spent the night in a puptent to be under the stars, and added to our experiences here that weekend. Our deepest condolences to Keith, Amanda and family.
Permaculture Dan
Karen Bauernschmidt
May 31, 2015
Daniel loved to educate, entertain, and empower us. He served us a smorgasbord of life, a cornucopia of love, an academy of learning.
We hold you in our hearts, Daniel.
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