Daniel Oldfather

DANIEL ANTHONY OLDFATHER

Cedar Rapids

Sept. 24, 1957 - Aug. 21, 2017

Daniel Anthony Oldfather started life in Spokane, Wash., in what he would always describe as a "good year," 1957. He was the second of four children. As a child, his family relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He often shared childhood memories of playing the cello, his Mustang fastback and family vacations. His great work ethic started young with a job as a paperboy and later through work at Hy-Vee.

While at Jefferson High, he was introduced to scuba diving, which sparked the pursuit of a career as a commercial diver. He trained at Ocean Corp. in Houston and upon graduation moved to Morgan City, La., to work for a dive company. Once in Louisiana his affinity for the water led to a passion for water sports, where he displayed his trick and slalom waterskiing abilities.

Upon starting a family, Daniel transitioned to work in oil and gas working on platforms in the Gulf of Mexico for the duration of his 34-year career. He always spoke highly of his co-workers and held many in high regard.

When he wasn't offshore, he worked on many household improvement projects, and was a very creative craftsman. Daniel took pride in volunteering time to enrich his children, often traveling to dancing competitions, chaperoning Boy Scout trips and pulling the camper to various national parks, amusement destinations and beaches. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and took many multiweek trips across the country and into Canada. On these trips, he began acquiring Harley-Davidson shirts and unique soda and spirit bottles, ultimately amassing a large collection that he proudly displayed.

Daniel was known for his sense of humor and often joked around to defuse stressful or mundane situations. It was impossible to go a restaurant without him attempting to order a "Dr. Budweiser" or "flied shrimp;" there never was an inappropriate time for a joke.

He didn't let a cancer diagnosis change his outlook, dampen spirits or get in the way of his goals. He hand-built his waterfront home, learned to wakeboard and traveled the country and seas while undergoing treatments. His humor carried through all the way to his final days. Daniel always communicated candidly, took a path less traveled, and always accepted opportunities or invitations for fun while using ingenuity, humor and sheer willpower to enrich his life and the lives of everyone he met.

After a lengthy battle with cancer, he passed away at his home in Stephensville, La., at the age of 59 on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017.

Daniel leaves behind to cherish his memory his sons, Jaret A. Oldfather and his wife, Hannah, and Cory A. Oldfather and his wife, Megan; his daughter, Hanna A. Oldfather; his parents, Paul Oldfather and Jeanette Paggett Oldfather; his sister, Cynthia McCollough and her husband, Kirk; his granddaughter, Jolie B. Oldfather; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his former wife and mother of his children, Marilyn Martin Oldfather.

In keeping with Daniel's wishes, he will be laid to rest with his precious baby girl, Brook Alane Oldfather, during a private inurnment with family in Ibert's Memorial Park Cemetery. Others that have gone on before him include his sister, Lori Oldfather; and his brother and sister-in-law, David and Stephanie Oldfather.

Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary Inc., 1111 Lia St., Patterson, LA 70392 (985) 395-7873.