Daniel Olea Sepúlveda, 83, died unexpectedly July 1, 2020 after a brief stay in the hospital. Daniel was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rosario "Rose" Sepúlveda, whom we lost 24 years ago, parents Manuel and Hortencia Sepúlveda, brothers Rey, Francisco, Ernesto, and sisters Leonor Teran and Alicia Bickford. Daniel is survived by his only daughter Ysela Sepúlveda Welding of Tucson and only son Daniel Rodriguez Sepúlveda Jr of Glendale; cherished grandfather of Steven Brent Sepúlveda Welding, his pride and joy, and the light of his life Maiah Rose Sepúlveda Welding; precious great grandfather of Julian Jackson Welding who was deeply adored by Daniel otherwise known as "Baka".
His only surviving sibling is Evangeline “Baby” Zapata of Silver City New Mexico. There are many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews across Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Tennessee and Mexico who are expressing their grief at the loss of "Uncle Danny" and who have reached out during these unequivocal times to try and understand this loss.
Daniel was born in Deming, New Mexico August 3, 1936 and lived in Santa Rita New Mexico for his first ten years of his life where his father Manuel was a miner. He then moved to Nogales Arizona where he graduated from Nogales High School in 1955. Daniel directed his life path towards the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, graduated from Sea School, served on the USS Roosevelt, completed cold weather training in California, achieving a rank of sergeant before discharge.
After his four-year tour of duty, he returned home where he enrolled at the University of Arizona and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business and Public Administration. After receiving his degree, he signed up for the Tucson Fire Department where he spent thirty years and lived his passion until retirement in 1986.
On June 24, Daniel was transported to the hospital in Tucson where he was diagnosed positive with COVID-19. COVID-19 ravaged his lungs so they could no longer function. Daniel passed away at 11:10 pm on July 1. A healthy strong individual whom so many admired was gone in one week, was laid to rest on July 9 in Tucson AZ next to his wife Rosario.
Daniel was tragically taken, we will miss this great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor and friend. He is, and always will be remembered by all with a smile on their face. For now, we can look to the heavens and say Semper Fi Marine, Semper Fi.