Daniel R. Potts Sr. was born February 2, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, making him a native Texan. After graduating from Grand Prairie High School, Dan worked for a funeral home that also provided ambulance services. In the 1960s, ambulance attendants were trained in first aid and how to administer oxygen. Their main task was to grab the patient and drive like Hades to the emergency room.

He joined the U.S. Air Force, where he advanced to inventory management supervisor and was trained to handle ammunition and nuclear bombs. He took his job very seriously and followed regulations carefully. During his career, Dan was stationed in Colorado, Texas, Maryland, Guam, and at Yokota Air Base Command in Japan. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement and service.

Dan and his family moved back home to Grand Prairie, where he excelled in the security industry. Dan held many positions, including site post security, site supervisor, private investigator, first responder to incidents and medical emergencies on site, and coordinator with law enforcement agencies. Dan retired in 2011 but continued to work part-time. His most unique security position was with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible exhibit at Southwestern Seminary. He was a Red Cross instructor for CPR, EAD, and first aid.

Dan purchased an RV with the hope of traveling around the country with his wife. They only traveled around Texas before settling in Whitney, Texas, in 2021. An acquaintance mentioned that there were openings with a local fire department. Dan applied, was accepted as a firefighter, and attended training classes with the Peoria and Woodbury Volunteer Fire Departments while answering calls. Dan relished being a volunteer firefighter and the camaraderie with other firefighters.

During a doctor’s appointment, several nurses and then the doctor checked his blood pressure. When Dan’s pager went off, the doctor told Dan the ambulance was for him. He had suffered a silent heart attack. After the cardiologist cleared Dan to go back to work, he completed paperwork to become a firefighter with the Whitney Fire Department. After he had cardiac stents placed, he was put on the injured reserve list. He worked around the fire house and attended training, even if he could not physically participate. He was given the job of safety officer, a position he took very seriously.

On November 24, 2023, Dan answered an early call for a structure fire, but he suffered a fatal heart attack before reaching the scene of the fire.

He leaves a grieving family and many friends that miss him deeply.