“No man is indispensable but some are irreplaceable.”
—Anonymous
Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Daniel Ross Pyland on September 6, 2024 in Rhame, ND. He was born on November 8, 1959 in San Luis Obispo, CA and graduated from Monache High School in Porterville, CA in 1977.
Daniel spent much of his life in Bakersfield where he met his wife, Mercedes, in 2012. They were inseparable from that point forward and soon after brought their families together: Holli & Leonard and Matt & Dallas from Daniel, and Lauren & Andrew and Celeste from Mercedes. Daniel and Mercedes moved to Oklahoma in 2021 where they were living their best life together.
Driving around Flint Ridge on his side-by-side with Mercedes and his two White German Shepherds, Mila and Evolet, was his favorite thing to do. They loved sitting on their front porch overlooking their “paradise” with drinks in hand and country music playing in the background.
Being a grandfather brought Daniel immense joy. Makenzie Lopez, 13, Holli and Leonard’s daughter, was his favorite volleyball player. He cheered her on through countless videos and FaceTime calls from OK. Khloe Lopez, 11, Holli and Leonard’s daughter, was his favorite golfer. Many people heard all the stories of Khloe beating him on the course. Gage Pyland, 10, Matt and Dallas’s son, was his favorite shooting buddy. He couldn’t wait until the next conversation about Gage’s next gun purchase and going out to the range together. Leonor Dallas, 2, Lauren and Andrew’s daughter, was his favorite bookwork. She had him wrapped around her little pinky and was always ready for a ride on the putt-putt with her cowboy boots. Eloise Dallas, who is expected in September 2024, would have been his favorite little camo clad partner-in-crime.
Outside of his family, Danny dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to a career in the oilfields. His knowledge and expertise was unmatched, and he left a lasting impression on each and every person who was fortunate enough to cross paths with him. Many of those he worked alongside counted him a close friend and even a brother in many cases.
The life that he had built with Mercedes and their pups in Oklahoma was what he had always dreamt of. Anyone who spoke with Danny, knew how much he loved life in his little corner of paradise in the Ozarks.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Mercedes; parents Gene & Doris Pyland; children Holli & Leonard Lopez, Matt & Dallas Pyland, Lauren Goodsi & Andrew Dallas, and Celeste Goodsi; siblings Michele & Mike Foster, Heather DeLair; step siblings Christy & David Diefendorf, Cary & Denise Glick; grandchildren Makenzie, Khloe, Gage, Leonor, and Eloise; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his late wife, Caryl, who he shared a loving 30-year marriage with.
We will be gathering as a family in Oklahoma to honor Daniel’s life and will share details on a gathering in Bakersfield at a later date.
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Love, Frank & Lisa
Family tree
(Porterville, CA)
(Porterville, CA)
(Kansas, OK)
(Deceased)
(Simi Valley, CA)
Dallas Pyland
(Bakersfield, CA)
(Bakersfield, CA)
(Siloam Springs, AR)
(Los Angeles, CA)
(Bend, OR)
(Batesville, AR)
(Deceased 2022)
(Deceased 2018)
(Simi Valley, CA)
(Bend, OR)
(Batesville, AR)
(Deceased 2022)
(Deceased 2018)
(Kansas, OK)
(Deceased)
Dallas Pyland
(Bakersfield, CA)
(Bakersfield, CA)
(Siloam Springs, AR)
(Los Angeles, CA)