David Napier, 75

I would like to announce the passing of David "Danny" Wilson Napier; he was 75 years young.

On Dec. 4, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at Rose Terrace Assisted Living, Danny slipped peacefully away with his family by his bedside holding the hand of the love of his life, Patsy Napier. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009.

Danny was born to Eva and Herbert Napier on Feb. 17, 1939, in Rapid City, S.D. He has four brothers: Bobby, Dale, Kenneth, and Floyd; and two sisters: Eileen and Patty. When he was young, Danny worked as a skilled diesel mechanic for many years at Northwest Cummins.

Danny was an outdoorsman, he loved to hunt, fish, camp, pick huckleberries in the summer, and occasional Saturday night poker games with his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Danny didn't care where he was as long as he was surrounded by his family.

If Danny wasn't up in the hills you could find him in his tool shed tinkering around or working on a new project. He was an eternal jokester, always there to put a smile on your face when you were feeling down. He was a family man, hunting with his sons and taking his grandchildren out on his four wheeler, and cracking jokes with his numerous nieces and nephews.

In the summer of 1953 Danny met Patsy Davis while riding his rickety old bicycle he built from scratch. Four years later he married Patsy on May 15, 1957, and they spent the next 57 years side by side, through thick and thin. They had three beautiful sons: Tony, Michael, and Timothy. They were the best parents anyone could ask for. Tony has one daughter, Christine; Michael met and married Teresa Manz and has three children: Leith, Sasha, and Michelle; Timothy met and married Trina Gray and has two daughters: Amanda and Britney. Along with many grandchildren came many great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandchild.

Danny had a large and loving family who will miss him dearly.

A memorial was held last Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Yates Funeral Home.

"Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway." - John Wayne.

Family. Love. Huntin'.