Dan Embry

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Daniel Dale Embry was born February 13, 1962, to Luther Ben and Juliann Jenkins Embry, and was welcomed by four sisters and one brother. 

He grew up on a farm in northeast Barton County where he acquired a great love for hunting, fishing and life outdoors. He attended Lamar R-1 schools until graduation in May of 1980. His favorite activities were vo-ag and football. He, along with his five siblings was baptized in the Logan family farm pond near Miller, Missouri, in 1970, and was confirmed as members of the Community of Christ Church. Dan was a soccer coach for the first season of soccer in Lamar. During high school he worked at the Lamar Super Market. After graduation, he and Rocky Taft, joined Rocky’s father, Leo Taft, in planting trees for the National Forestry Service. From that experience, Dan started his own business, Bootheel Forestry, which expanded from tree planting to include native prairie restoration projects. Much of his knowledge about native species was gained from long conversations with his paternal grandfather, Luther Park Embry. His projects have beautified areas in three states. 

On March 27, 1994, he married Crystal Taft, in Bernie, Missouri, in a service performed by his brother, Elder Bill Embry in the Community of Christ Church. Their family was blessed with five children; Ryan, Autumn, Brooklyn, Rocky Daniel, and William Dale. Dan especially loved sharing his love of all things outdoors with his children, especially hunting, fishing, and camping. He also enjoyed helping coach their youth football teams.

Dan passed peacefully from this life into the next on August 4, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. He was welcomed into that life by a multitude of family and friends including his father, Luther Ben Embry; a nephew, Landyn Eugene Davis, and two brothers-in-law; Jeff Grote and Ron Sherman. He is survived by his mother, Juliann Bennett; four sisters, Shirley and Bill Gaither, Betty Embry, Jeannie and Jerry Thieman, Sherry Embry, and his brother; Dr. Bill and Crystal Embry. His children; Ryan and Beth Embry, Autumn and Nick Timmerman, Brooklyn and Justin Guo, and Danny and Billy. He was blessed with four grandchildren; Dominique, Titus, Ivy and Amelia know as Meela. He is also survived by 21 nieces and nephews and 22 great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held Saturday, August 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Daniel Funeral Home.

The family asks that donations be made to the Gary Embry Scholarship fund in Dan’s name.