Dan E. Brack

Daniel E. Brack, Jr., 89, Farmington, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2014. Dan was born on the family farm on July 8, 1924 in Otis, Kansas. He was the third of ten children of Daniel E. Brack, Sr. and Lydia Muth. Dan graduated from high school at 16 and had a scholarship for college; but at the advent of World War II he joined the Merchant Marines and spent his time on freighters protecting the shipping and troop transport lanes, dodging Japanese Zeroes and German U-boats. After the war he married Alberta Tammen and had two children, Mike and Patty. The family moved to Farmington, New Mexico in 1956. Alberta died in 1959, and Dan married Dixie Slaugh in 1961, adding three more children to the family: Del, Nila and Vauna. Dan was president and co-owner of Justis Supply on East Main for many years. He loved traveling around the US, especially Hawaii, and anywhere there was a good golf course. He also enjoyed being an Elk and was Exalted Ruler of local BPOE 1747, 1980-1981. Dan and Dixie had great plans for retirement, but Dixie unfortunately became afflicted with Alzheimer's at the age of 68. Dan cared for her for six years at home; then she spent six more years in a nursing home where he faithfully and lovingly visited her daily until her death in June 2010. Dan was an incredible woodworker, making furniture and many clever and intricate decorative items. He enjoyed his daily newspapers and their crossword puzzles, watching Old Westerns on TV, and reading. One of our biggest challenges was buying a book for Dad which he hadn't already read. He also loved fishing, golf and video poker -- and was a consistent tournament winner in his much-enjoyed journeys to Laughlin. Dan is survived by his five children: Delbert (Cathy) Slaugh, Milliken, CO; Michael (KP), Edmonds, WA; Nila (Steve) Wagner, Bakersfield, CA; Patricia (Kevin) Moss, Bountiful, UT; and Vauna Slaugh, Grand Junction, CO. At the time of his death Dan had nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Wilbur (Dianne) Brack, Farmington, NM and Tom Brack, Great Bend, KS; and sisters Deanna (Tom) Robinson (Broken Arrow, OK) and Wilma (Bill) Cody, Welaka, FL. Special thanks to his brother, Webb, for being there with our dad, especially near the end, an inspirational example of tender brotherly love; Tracie Grace and the others of Basin Home Hospice; and the staff of Beehive Homes. Their loving care and concern gave us great comfort. Viewing Friday, March 21, 6 to 8 in the evening, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St., Farmington; funeral Saturday, March 22, 10:00 a.m., also at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home with Bishop Carroll Carter conducting. Interment will follow with full military honors provided by VFW Post #2182 of Farmington. Should friends desire to make donations in Dan's name they may do so at BPOE #1747, 801 Municipal Drive, Farmington, NM 87401 or the website address is bpoe1747@comcast.net Dan's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, (505) 325-8688.. Online condolences at serenityandcompany.com