Daniel Earl Mcquillen Jr

Dan McQuillen, loving husband, devoted father of two children and Papa to three grandchildren, passed away on September 27, 2019 at the age of 76. Dan was born on February 13, 1943 in Johnstown, PA to Daniel E McQuillen, Sr. and Margaret Lenore Wallace McQuillen, he had one sibling, his beloved sister Dee, Dolores Marie McQuillen Davis. Dan spent his early life and school years growing up in Johnstown. In 1962, he volunteered for the draft and joined the U.S. Air Force, he was stationed at Mather AFB in Sacramento. Dan served with a Combat Operations unit in Guam for 6 months, serving a total of 4 years for his country. In 1965 he received a U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for saving the life of his cousin Wally from the swift moving waters of the American River. Following his service Dan began pursuing his education - beginning at Sacramento City College with an AA in Business, then on to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for a BS in Business Education. Dan then received a Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh and later an Administrative Credential from California Lutheran College. Dan devoted his life’s work to the field of Education, starting as an instructor in Distributive Education, focusing on accounting, retailing and marketing, he was then promoted to Coordinator and later Director of the Kern County Regional Occupational Program from which he retired in 2004. Dan also taught extension courses for UCLA as well as serving as President of the California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs. Dan married the love of his life, Patricia Lorene Cosby McQuillen on June 20, 1964 and they spent the next 55 years together. They raised two children Mark McQuillen and Kathie McQuillen, Dan’s family was the most important thing in his life and he was a very loving and present father. Dan’s legacy continued through his three grandchildren, Griffin Walters, Sidney Walters and Sarah McQuillen, who loved him as dearly as he loved them and who fondly called him Papa. Dan was a lifelong athlete, always involved in sports from a young age, he played basketball and handball in his youth and young adult life. Later Dan became an avid racquetball player, traveling to St. George to play in the National Senior Games, he could always be found heading to the gym, racquet in hand, often taking his grandchildren along to teach them the game. In later years Dan found the sport of Pickleball and true to his nature, became an avid player, he loved the game as well as meeting new friends which he always did quite easily. Dan had an infectious sense of humor, loved to tell jokes any time he had the opening and had a gift for making those around him laugh. He always had a smile, a quick witted comment and kind words to share. He was a man who took the time to get to know the people he came in contact with and he tended to leave a lasting impression on those he met. Dan was preceded in death by his father, Daniel, his mother, Margaret and sister Dolores. He is survived by his wife Patricia, son, Mark McQuillen and wife Kassandra of Lubbock, TX, daughter Kathie McQuillen and partner Heidi Hanson of Sacramento and grandchildren Griffin Walters, Sidney Walters and Sarah McQuillen. He is also survived by the children of his sister Dee - James Davis and his daughters Jordan and Erin of Florida, Lynn Young, husband Steve and their children, Savannah and Nathan of GA and Logan Davis and wife Connie of PA. A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor on November 10, 2019 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Sacramento at 2pm.