Dan Westphal

Services for Daniel Ronald Westphal will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Cottondale, with visitation one hour before the service. Pallbearers will include Daron Westphal, Brad Brandon, Mike Westphal, David Mercado, Mark Mercado and Steve Mercado. Services are entrusted to Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport, Texas. 

Daniel Ronald Westphal passed from this life on August 9, 2023, in Decatur, Texas, with his family by his side. 

Dan was born on April 26, 1955, in Kenmore, New York, the son of Ronald and Bernice (Fry) Westphal. He grew up in Alden, New York, where he was raised and received his education, later graduating from Alden High School with the Class of 1973. During his time in school, Dan was an active part of the baseball and swim team. While growing up in Alden, Dan also worked as the paper boy for the local newspaper. Following high school, He joined the United States Air Force in 1974, stationed at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California. Dan worked as a jet over two mechanics. SRA Daniel Westphal was honorably discharged on March 20, 1980, and returned to Alden. He soon returned to Riverside, California, and accepted a position with Toro. Several years later, Dan began working with Crown as a forklift mechanic before gaining employment with Wilden Pump. Several years following a blind date with Rosalie Frances Mercado, Dan was united in marriage on December 24, 1985, in Victorville, California. They established their initial home in Riverside, California, and his thirst for knowledge led him to pursue higher education. In 1987, he proudly received an associate degree from Riverside Community College. In 1989 they moved to the mid-cities area in Fort Worth, TX. In 1991, Dan accepted a position with American Airlines, where he worked for over 30 years, retiring in September 2020. He worked at the TAESL Alliance Building for over 20 years. Upon retirement, Dan and Rosalie moved to the city of Paradise, where they continued to reside. 

Dan loved being outdoors. Some of his favorite things to do were riding motorcycles with his wife, traveling, boating, shooting skeet, and waterskiing. He also enjoyed wood, metalworking, playing pinball, and playing 42 with his pastor and church members at the First Baptist church of Cottondale. He was always summoned by his friends and neighbors because he could fix anything and was referred to as the "Mr.-Fix-It Guy." Dan enjoyed the times attending the War Birds Air Shows with his family and loved being the best Papa ever to his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching the Big Bang Theory, westerns, and 1970 comic shows, especially Hogans Heros. Traveling was also a big part of Dan's life, going to New York, Germany, Colorado, Florida, Mexico, and Jamaica. They also traveled to many places on his motorcycle throughout the United States. 

Survivors include his loving wife, Rosalie Westphal, daughter Danielle Brandon and her husband, Brad, of Boyd, Texas; son Daron Westphal of Azle, Texas; mother, Bernice Westphal of Bedford, Texas; siblings Renee Wojcik and her husband, Tony of New York, Sue Hackrott and her husband James of Keller, Texas, Karen Fosmer and Bob of New York, Mike Westphal and his wife Sue of New York; two grandchildren Hayes and Lane Brandon and host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his father, Ronald Westphal, Dan was preceded in death by his pets, Lobo, Missy, Max and Roxie. 

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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