Daniel David Gaitley
January 08, 1925 - April 04, 2011
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Daniel David Gaitley
January 08, 1925 - April 04, 2011
Obituary
Daniel David Gaitley, 86, was born on January 8, 1925 in Oelwein, Iowa to Thomas Gaitley and Edna Hempseed, and passed away April 4, 2011 in Laguna Hills, California.
Dan was raised in Oelwein with his sisters Marlys and Pat, his brother Gordon, and ‘Kat,’ the family cat. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School, Dan joined the Navy in 1942 and served as a Navy Radioman aboard the SS James Iredell, which was the first ship sunk on D-Day at Omaha Beach as part of Operation Mulberry. After the invasion, he was reassigned to a base in the state of Washington in preparation for service in the Pacific – but the Japanese heard he was coming and they surrendered.
Following the war, Dan attended law school at the University of Detroit while concurrently working a number of different jobs, including locomotive repairman, lunch truck driver, Tiger Stadium hawker, soda jerk and apparently an unknown capacity in the circus. After receiving his law degree, Dan began working as an attorney for Chrysler Corporation, a fulfilling career that lasted 50 years.
Dan’s life was filled with adventure, from being held at gunpoint in Colombia to marking the start of the new millennium by playing golf at the stroke of midnight. But his richest experience was his loving commitment to Gloria Dani, whom he married on July 18, 1953. They thrived together for the next 58 years 505, 897 hours, enjoying a life filled with many loving family and friends.
Dan is survived by his wife Gloria, as well as his daughter Jane, sons Dave, Mike, Steve and Tom, and 8 grandchildren: all of whom will miss his joy for life, dedication to family and sense of humor.
Dan will be laid to rest with military honors on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 2:30pm at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10am at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Memorial donations may be made to St. Margaret of Scotland or to the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team MCREST.
9 responses to Daniel David Gaitley
Jeanne Stimson says:
April 18, 2011
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr.and Mrs. Gaitley for many years. I will always remember Mr. Gaitley for his warm smile and great sense of humor! I’m sending my most sincere thoughts and prayers to all of the Gaitley family.
Teresa Morin says:
April 21, 2011
Dear Gaitley Family,
I will NEVER forget when we were on Kevin and Mary’s boat one summer and your Dad had us all mesmorized with his story of D Day as the boat was going down. He made me feel like I was on board that ill fated ship with him. What a great storyteller and wonderful man. I am so sorry for your loss.
Teresa Morin
Gail Turner says:
April 26, 2011
Dear Gaitley Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. I know Dan was an amazing father, husband and friend. I feel blessed to have known him.
Love
Gail
Bill Gombocz says:
June 28, 2018
I remember Dan as an understanding client who, with Gloria, treated me as a member of his extended family. His love of golf was legendary; I will never forget his guidance and caring on and off the golf course and away from the business table.