Dannie Paul "Big Dan" Ober

Glenmora-Celebration of Life services honoring Dannie "Big Dan" Paul Ober, 73, will be held at 2 o'clock p.m. on Friday afternoon, September 12, 2025, at Glenmora Baptist Church in Glenmora. Rev. Bro. Mike Evans will officiate. "Big Dan" will be laid to rest at Campground Cemetery in Glenmora immediately following his services.

"Big Dan's" family will receive friends and visitors at Glenmora Baptist Church on Thursday evening, September 11, 2025, from 3-9 o'clock p.m. "Big Dan's" visitation will resume at Glenmora Baptist Church on Friday morning, September 12, 2025, from 9 o'clock a.m. until time of service. All of "Big Dan's" arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Home of Oakdale. To begin the formal remembrance service, his eulogy will be given by his niece, Tiffany Ashmore Abshire of Lake Charles, LA, followed by the readings of the funniest, craziest, fondest, and cherished memories provided by his friends and family. A special video message to her PawPaw Dan, from his great-granddaughter, Maribella Ann Turnipseed, will be shared with everyone. They found great amusement in seeing who could call each other a "Monkeybutt" first. Hence, her message is for her PawPaw Dan, a.k.a. Monkeybutt.

Dannie Paul Ober, known far and wide as Big Dan, was born on May 6, 1952, at Rapides Hospital in Alexandria, LA to James Leroy Ober and Josephine Ovader Paul Ober. The Lord called him home on September 5, 2025, at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, Lake Charles, LA. Much of his childhood was spent in California before he returned with his family to Glenmora in 1967. He started his sophomore year at Glenmora High School. Even though, he stood 6' 7", he had never played basketball. Coach Jake Rivers took one look at him and said you are going to make a fantastic basketball player on my team. As predicted, he excelled in basketball. He was also a notable member of the baseball and track teams. However, it was not his athletic talents that were the highlight of high school years, it was the enduring friendships that were formed with several teammates. Those friendships remained steadfast through the test of time and will remain in the hearts of those teammates as he now watches from the sidelines. Dan was a Mechanical Insulator by trade. However, it was his part-time employment that will be most remembered. He was his role with a security team (a formal way of saying "floor bouncers") for several nightclubs and raceways throughout the years. Many stories and tales were derived from his floor-bouncing days that will be recollected for many years to come. He found his true passion in hunting, especially deer hunting, and fishing. Whether it was in the woods hunting or in his boat out on the water fishing, he was able find a peace within himself that so many search for but can never find. He was honored to be Uncle Dannie to seventeen nieces and nephews who will also cherish his memory. He found great joy in teaching each one how a monkey rides a bicycle. Likewise, each one was thrilled to have him show them again every time they saw him. He was given the privilege of having a bonus niece, Emily Hegerle, of Alexandria, LA. He had the brilliant idea of being Emily's driving coach. If anyone knows anything about Big Dan's driving, we can only imagine how those driving lessons turned out. He also had two bonus nephews, Hunter Kerry and Eli Boudreaux, both of Alexandria, LA. Big Dan took Hunter under his wing and Hunter trusted him for advice on life. We are not quite sure if we should be thankful for the advice he gave or if we should hope Hunter doesn't have a good memory. He and Eli became fast fishing buddies. They discussed all aspects of fishing every time they saw each other. Unfortunately, they never had the opportunity to go fishing. One sure thing, they enjoyed each other's company as it related to fishing.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his loving, long-time fiancé, Paula Dauzat of Glenmora, LA; daughter, Angela Paulette Stafford (Greg Thomas), of Pineville, LA; son, Brandon Shane Ober (Charlotte), of Little Rock, AR; grandson, Ryan Alan Seal (Madison), of Baytown, TX; granddaughter, Lindsay Danyelle Seal Turnipseed, of Pineville, LA; bonus granddaughter, Kelsey Thomas McConnell (Scott), of Pineville, LA; bonus grandsons, Austin M. Thomas (Bailee), of Boyce, LA; and Connor B. Thomas of Fort Bragg, NC; a great-granddaughter, Maribella Ann Turnipseed, of Anacoco, LA , his little buddy, Ezra Hegerle, of Alexandria, LA; sisters, Dixie Aline Ober Honzel of Grand Prairie, TX, Floy Jean Ober Emerson of Sour Lake, TX, and Billie Lavenia Ober Gilliespie (Eddie) of Brady, TX, and last but certainly not the least, his devoted fur companion, Reba Jean.

He now joins those who preceded him in death: his mother, Josephine Ovader Paul Ober; father, James Leroy Ober; paternal grandparents, Leroy Daniel Ober and Bertie Lavina Monroe Ober; maternal grandparents, Emanuel Jackson Paul and Tressie Doris Paul; brother, James Leroy Ober, Jr.; and niece, Denise Annette Villalon.

Those honored to serve as Pallbearers include Ryan Seal, Joseph Coker, Austin Thomas, Connor Thomas, Hunter Kerry, Jacob Turnipseed, Michael Antee, and Patrick Seal.

With upmost respect and admiration for Tony Lawrence, Ricky Farris, James Townsend, "Bear" Carroll, Jackie Thacker, Rick Kojas, Jason Antee, Richard Humphries, John Carruth, and Zane Carruth, accepted the family's request to serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Big Dan's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Glenmora Baptist Dry Creek Youth Camp Fund. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with "Big Dan's" family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook-Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

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