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What can one say about someone of the stature of Danny. I had first met Danny at Bonham Junior High where at I attended Junior High in the 7th grade. I had Texas History with him. Even then, Danny stood out. I moved back to the west side and played against him in pony league baseball. Then at OHS we were reunited our sophomore year. Danny became instantly known at OHS as well. Danny was very popular among the students and was voted most Handsome our junior year and also was recognized for his exploits on the baseball field, where he was All State Honorable Mention as a Second Baseman for the Broncho Baseball Team.
I attended OC with Danny and had freshman biology with him. I have always said that Danny helped to get me through that class with Willie Mae Filleman, our instructor. At the time Danny wanted to be a physician. Danny could have played baseball at OC but he wanted to concentrate on his studies. At some point at OC, Danny changed his major and concentrated on Nursing. He transferred to Incarnate Word College in Austin where he achieved his RN and BS in Nursing. Danny then concentrated his interest in Respiratory Therapy and he was a pioneer in the field. Ever much the innovator, Danny started Respiratory Therapy Groups and they would contract to hospitals. Danny had started these groups all over Texas then into the Southeast as well.
Danny was killed in a car accident on September 26, 1986 was he was driving from his home in Plano to Odessa to see his son play for the Bronchos. It is surmised that Danny was fatigued from a long work week and may have gone to sleep while driving. His vehicle went into the eastbound lane and struck a 18 wheeler headon in Eastland County, Texas on Interstate 20. Danny was dead at the scene.
I had been in California for two weeks working and had flown home when I saw the longest funeral procession I had ever seen in Odessa. At the time, I thought this person must have been special. I found out it was Danny's when I got home and found out about his death.
Danny left a wife, a son and a daughter and he also left a legacy. Danny is buried at Sunset Memorial Garden's Cemetery in Odessa.
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Lindal Theodore "Ted" Van Meter, Jr
DANNY AND I WERE FRIENDS BEGINNING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT ALAMO ELEMENTARY, BONHAM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, AND ODESSA HIGH SCHOOL. HE LIVED JUST A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM ME AND WE HUNG OUT TOGETHER ALOT. WE PLAYED BASEBALL TOGETHER AND HE WAS A GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER. WE PLAYED ALOT OF SANDLOT BASEBALL ALONG WITH REUBEN AND JESSE BENAVIDEZ. I ALSO REMEMBER HIS MOTHER WAS A GREAT MEXICAN FOOD COOK. SHE FED ME SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WERE A VERY NICE FAMILY.