Danny spent a lot of time in his ’84 Dodge pickup truck. He loved that truck, and practically lived in it. And he almost died in it – twice.
He slept in the truck once when temperatures hit a record 30-below zero – more than cold enough to kill a man – and yet he somehow survived.
Another time, he had a massive heart attack in the truck, an attack so severe he turned blue and stopped breathing several times.
By divine providence, Danny just happened to be right outside Crossroads Mission Avenue when his heart failed. Someone saw him slumped forward over the steering wheel, ran inside and yelled, “Call 9-1-1!”
Daniel Buller, the executive director at the Mission, ran outside, round Danny lying on the ground and started CPR….and kept it up till the ambulance arrived. Paramedics told Buller that he had certainly saved Danny’s life.
Danny, who had a long battle with intermittent homelessness and has been in and out of Crossroads for years, was grateful for the Mission’s unconditional love and support despite his ongoing struggles.
After every setback, he kept returning to Crossroads, “because I think there’s some reason I’m supposed to be here,” he said. “I feel God has something more for me, and it’s here at Crossroads.”
Danny was saving his money to someday buy a trailer and drive across America.
“But,” he said with a laugh, “I think maybe I ought to get a newer truck.”
In the spring of 2021, we received the sad news that Danny had passed away. We continue to share his story to honor his life and to encourage others.