Dennis LaRay Daniel
1945 – 2024
Dennis LaRay Daniel passed away on April 1, 2024. Dennis was born in Plainview, TX on May 27, 1945, to Merle and Josie Daniel. Dennis graduated from Plainview High School and South Plains Community College.
He enjoyed dirt track racing. He raced many years at Lea County Speed Bowl, Roadrunner Speedway, and West Texas Speedway. He won many season championships He loved working on cars. He was always fixing cars for his children and grandkids. He would work days on things until he could figure it out. He enjoyed bowling and was on many bowling teams. He enjoyed the great outdoors in the mountains of Southern Colorado trout fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his two daughters, Christy Hammer and husband Mike, of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Elizabeth McGill and husband Brandon, of Colorado Springs, CO; six grandchildren, Brittany, Jaden, Jacob, Trinity, Kaleb, and Buddha; two great grandchildren, Wrenley and Rhett; two sisters, Jana McClendon and husband Gary, and Sheila Daniel, a niece and two nephews.
The majority of his career was spent as the Service Manager at Hobbs Mack, in Hobbs, NM Dennis then went on to being a distributor for Mac Tools in the Southeast region of New Mexico. Dennis then went on to being a parts salesman for Bruckner’s Mack in Odessa, TX. He retired in 2012 and became a traveling man. He split his time traveling with spending half a year in Oklahoma with his daughter Christy and half the year in Colorado with his daughter Beth. Dennis loved traveling between the two states to watch his grandkids play sports. He loved spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren Dennis loved to spend time in Antonito, CO. He would take his family on yearly trips there every summer. Together they enjoyed fishing and camping. After retirement he would stay at Mogote Meadow RV Park in Antonito for a few months during the summer. He had many good friends there and enjoyed their company and potlucks.
He passed away surrounded by his family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel To Towers.
Dennis will be cremated and a private memorial with family in friends will be held in Antonito, Co, at a future date.
One heck of a Boss & great friend.
Mr. Dennis was always a giant in my eyes. I was scared of him but I looked up to him at the same time. I was blessed as a young man to see how he was as a dad and husband. He treated me like his own and always included me. Loved his shake of hand, watch him race his Late Model and seeing him at sporting events. He always made you feel like you were the most important person. He will be missed. But his legacy will never be forgotten. Thank you Big D for your time.