Daniel Younger

Daniel Lee Younger, age 86, of Melrose, New Mexico passed away on April 10, 2013 at his home in Melrose, New Mexico.

Dan was born on August 2, 1926 in Canyon, Texas to B.D and Zelfa Goad Younger. Dan grew up on the Eastern Plains and attended high school at Hollene in the Broadview area north of Clovis. Like others, he felt called to duty and left school to join the Navy before graduation. He proudly volunteered as an Armed Guard for the Merchant Marines in the Pacific Theatre and was onboard the USS Pasadena in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese surrender. He left the Navy at the end of WWII as a Gunners Mate, Second Class.

After returning, he got his GED and eventually married his high school sweetheart, Billie Jo Corzine on December 18, 1950 in Hobbs, New Mexico. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2005. Danny, as some knew him, had a servants heart and became an educator, coach and administrator in the public school system. He started teaching at Fields and moved to Melrose in 1956. That was home and he loved the area, the people and retired after 32 years in the school system. He loved the kids and coaching most of all and was instrumental in the development of girls basketball and other sports in Melrose and New Mexico. His girls had a remarkable run of seven years with no losses even against LCC out of Lubbock.

In the mid 60s he bought some land and cattle and fell in love with farming and ranching. He started with a small herd of cows and a bull from the Griders and has developed that herd for the last 49 years. He is well known in NM for having a good line of Hereford and Angus cattle.

Dan is a longtime member of First Baptist in Melrose and had a special walk with his Lord and Savior. He enjoyed helping people and loved seeing them succeed. For years he was a member of the Melrose Lions Club, American Legion Post and NRA. He loved to fish but hunting was his most favorite sporting pastime. Dan was an active man and known by many in the area. He believed that a man was lucky to have just a few true friends in a lifetime but he was truly blessed and highly favored with many good and trusted friends across Eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. He will be sorely missed by family and friends, but not forgotten by those he touched.

He is survived by one daughter: Danna Younger of San Antonio, Texas and one son: Duke Helen Younger of Boerne, Texas two grandsons: Tommy Melissa Townsend of Corpus Christi, Texas and Cole Dawn Younger of North Richland Hills, Texas three great grandsons: Tommy Gun Townsend, Dylan Townsend and Connor James Younger two great granddaughters: Danna Marie Townsend and Hayley Dawn Younger.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Funeral services are at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2013 at First Baptist Church in Melrose, New Mexico with Pastor Durward Wofford officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Terrace Memorial Cemetery in Farwell, Texas. Pall bearers are Terry England, Barry Allen, Rufus Campbell, Cole Younger, Dave Wells and Mike Jacobs. Honorary pall bearers are Carl Havens, Don Sullivan, James Bostwick, Steve Mullins, Larry Davis, Tommy Lee Townsend.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of SteedTodd Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 E Manana Blvd, Clovis, New Mexico 575 7635541. You may also sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com .

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