Daniel Ornelas Jr.

Daniel Ornelas Jr. passed from 62 years in this life on 29 November, 2013 at Desert Regional Hospital, and following his lifetime battle with diabetes and eventually, an inoperable heart condition. His life's joy - his family and friends, were able to be with him in his last days. Danny was born and grew up in the Coachella Valley, attended its various schools and participated in several activities including the debate team, in which he relished and succeeded. After college, he married, had a family and lived and worked in the L.A. area until retiring and returning to the Valley in 2011. Danny loved life with a delight that we will all miss. Danny loved a funny story or prank well played, and would give himself up to laughter so thoroughly that he was known to throw his head all the way back and roar in laughter until we were all laughing along with him - even if we were the subject of the story or prank. Danny loved to travel. Many of his childhood friends became lifetime friends, and he often traveled to visit them in distant places. His travels took him from the Western states all the way to Venice for the Carnevale, through the antiquities Rome and Florence, the Bay of Naples, the ruins of Pompeii, and the remote parts of Sicily. He traveled through the cities, ancient monasteries and abbeys of Germany, and he especially loved those along the Rhine River. As much as he loved to travel, he loved the simple, everyday moments and hours with family and friends. We all learned that our visits with Danny first started with his excited update of the lives of all the others that he loved. His loves included his father, Daniel 'Blackie' Ornelas Sr., who predeceased him in 2003, his mother Bertha, his brother Dick and his wife Jean, and his sister Cilvia (Tony) Flores. Danny met and married Mary (Couvrette), they had two amazing daughters, Sara (Franko) and Danielle, that were only outshone in Danny's eyes by his granddaughter Audrey Franko. Danny's extended family included aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends, who often became the sisters and brothers of his heart. Services will be at 10:45 a.m. on Friday, December 27, 2013 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Indio, Calif. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Activities Program at the California Nursing and Rehabilitation (2299 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262) to acknowledge the care and joy they brought to the final days of Danny's life.

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