Daniel Grey Best Sr.

BEST, Sr., Daniel Grey
1912 - 2008

Daniel Grey Best Sr., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 at the age of 95. Born in 1912 in San Leandro to C.L. Best and Margaret Grey Best, Mr. Best was raised in Piedmont. He attended Piedmont High, but graduated from Woodland High School and later attended UC Davis. Mr. Best was a lifelong farmer of Yolo County, and an avid golfer and duck hunter. He actively participated in Ducks Unlimited, Masonic Lodge, Yolo Fliers Club and the Field and Tule. He earned his pilots license at the age of 16 and flew under the Knights Landing draw bridge on its opening day. Throughout his life, Mr. Best was a true philanthropist, showing his generosity by supporting many worthy causes. He was the beloved husband of Bernice Baird Best. They were married for 77 years until her death in June 2004. Mr. Best was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Best Robinson and daughters, Barbara Best Payne and Brenda Best Weaver, and more recently his niece, Margaret Robinson Traynham. He is survived by his son, Daniel Grey Best II of Woodland, granddaughter, Brenda Cooley of Lafayette, grandsons, William Payne and Robert Payne of Woodland and John C. Weaver III of San Francisco. Mr. Best is also survived by his six great-grandchildren, Bridget Cooley, Sean Cooley, Lauren Payne, Ryan Payne, Taylor Payne and Thomas Payne. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at Mary's Chapel in Yolo, County Road 15 at County Road 98. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Mary's Chapel and Cemetery District, 38870 County Road 13, Woodland, CA 95695.