Daniel was an overachiever in his work, spending the last years of his life as a Senior Business Consultant for Allstate Benefits. Prior to this, he used his talents in Quality Control to work for companies contracted by Homeland Security including the respected Serco Inc. He did this for over 20 years.
Often underappreciated was Daniel’s love for reading and writing. Daniel loved the Stephen King short story collection written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, this was second only to what he believed to be a masterpiece in Calvin and Hobbes. He was a proud owner of the complete collection. His children’s mother, Rebecca, notes that he would giggle so hard reading them you couldn’t sit on the same couch without feeling his laughter shake the furniture. His favorite poet was Robert Frost, and during his senior year of highschool he did an independent study of English Literature and Poetry. His dream job was sports journalism, often bragging about winning a youth sports writing competition during his teen years. On a drive home from a basketball tournament, his son Elijah asked why he chose not to pursue his journalism dream. Daniel’s answer was simple… “They make no money.”
Daniel, a talented basketball player in his youth (and later, aspiring at-home coach), kept his love of sports all of his life. He was a fan of the Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, and all UNL sports. He took every opportunity possible to attend collegiate games, often leaving in the 4th quarter (or end of match) due to his hatred of traffic, a tradition passed down to his kids. Daniel kept all of his kids in sports growing up and would bring each one to various sporting events, his favorite being the Husker Volleyball games. He and some of his closest friends kept a tradition of doing an annual fantasy football league, something that he cherished dearly.
Music was a lifelong love for Daniel; he was a talented guitarist and beautiful tenor. Influenced by his Uncle Pete who was missing his left middle finger, Daniel had a non-traditional technique of using just three fingers on his left hand to play. Memories of sitting in a circle at Martinez family gatherings to sing and play were held near and dear to Daniel’s heart. His children have fond memories of him coming to the living room to perform his renditions of various songs such as “You and I Both” by Jason Mraz and a family favorite, “Home” by Dave Barnes. His love of music lives on in all 3 of his kids in no small part due to the impromptu “Shane Family Band” concerts he loved putting on simply for the joy of making music with his kids.
In his college years Daniel spent time performing in his acapella group, Cadence. They were hired and featured professionally many times, something that Daniel was very proud of. One of his most notable gigs was opening for Earth, Wind, and Fire.
When not working, he spent time leading the board of Music and Fine Arts at First Plymouth Congregational Church and was an avid member of the Lincoln East Choir Boosters. His most notable project at Lincoln East was helping lead the inaugural Spartan Spectacular, a success that has become an annual tradition. Daniel was always incredibly proud of his intellect, and would often take control of projects, because he simply believed he could do them better.
Daniel was a loving, charismatic, and pragmatic man who will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his children, Noah, Alyssah, and Elijah Shane, all of Lincoln; mother Martha Shane, Casper, WY; sisters Jeanette Shane, Casper, WY, Denise (Randy) Sutton, Denver, CO; and Veronica Shane-Gaylord, Westminster, CO; brother Pat (Cindy) Shane, Monument, CO; nieces Chloe Stone, Lyndsie Shane, Erica (Jamie) Robinson, Jessica Larson, and Lisa Gaylord; nephews Brody Stone, Connor Shane, Cameron (Amanda) Shane, Lucas (Amanda) Sutton, and Randy (Tessa) Sutton, Jr.; as well as many, many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Preceded in death by his father Ramon; grandparents Hubert and Alice (Burton) Shane and Flavio and Mary (Cruces) Martinez; brother Ernie Shane, and nephew Tyler Shane.
For his Lincoln family and friends, there will be a memorial service held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 16, 2023 at the Roper and Sons South Lincoln Chapel, 3950 Hohensee Drive. Service will be livestreamed.
For those he loved in Casper, there will be another memorial service held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 20th, 2023 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Inurnment will be held after the service at Highland Park Cemetery, Casper, WY. Lunch to be served after burial back at the church.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to the family for future designation (checks directed to Dan’s eldest son, Noah Shane or through Venmo: user name @Noah-Shane-1 ).
LINK TO LIVESTREAM: https://vimeo.com/event/3571760