Daniel Thomas Jolley was born on September 24, 1953, in Burley, Idaho, to Anthony Jay "Tony" and Norma Carol Thomas Jolley. Throughout his childhood, Dan's family moved frequently, often due to his father's work. At the age of two, they lived in western Wyoming where Tony ranched. The family then returned to Burley where Tony worked on the construction of the new interstate highway. Later, they moved to Halfway, Oregon, where Tony worked on the Brownlee Dam. While Tony didn't mind living in remote areas, Norma preferred to be closer to town, so the family eventually settled in the Boise Valley, where Dan attended 1st grade in Star, Idaho. That summer, they moved to a home on Maple Grove Road, and Dan began 2nd grade at Cole Elementary. He continued his education at the newly constructed Jackson Elementary, where he attended grades 3-6. At age 12, the family moved to Bruneau, Idaho, where Dan completed grades 7-9 in the Bruneau School District. He finished his high school years at Rimrock High School after the Bruneau and Grandview districts consolidated. Dan was active in sports during high school, excelling in both football and basketball. His passion for basketball was especially strong, and he helped lead his team to second place in the state basketball tournament. In addition to school activities, Dan spent his summers cowboying for large ranches in Nevada and working with his family's haying business. After high school, Dan pursued his love for rodeo, focusing on bull riding, though he also competed in bareback riding and team roping. He enjoyed the sport and won a few belt buckles, but after three years, he retired from rodeo due to injuries. Dan's next career took him on the road as an interstate trucker. He drove across the country, logging millions of miles, and was especially proud that in all his years behind the wheel, he never had a single accident. Dan worked as a long-haul driver in every state except Alaska and Hawaii. After retiring from trucking, he turned to training horses and working on ranches in Idaho and Nevada. A lifelong lover of guns and hunting, Dan dedicated his winters to trapping and shooting coyotes, a pursuit he enjoyed for 20 years. In the 1990s, he also owned a small flock of sheep and used them to train cow dogs, learning the craft from renowned dog trainer Gary Erickson. In February of 1996, Dan met Nannette Neider on a blind date at the Boise Idaho Temple. Their connection was immediate, though Dan was a tough cowboy, he was so nervous meeting her for the first time. He was glad he made the call for a second date, and on September 20, 1996, they were married and sealed in that same temple. Together, they were blessed with five wonderful children: a daughter, Sage, and four sons: Rozin, Reuben, Birch, and Loden. Dan adored his children and was involved in their lives, even creating unique cattle brands for each of them: Sage had the "Tumbling S," Rozin the "Jay Ranch," Reuben the "Diamond A," Birch the "13 Bar," and Loden the "Triangle Tookie." Dan and Nan raised cattle throughout their married life. They started out with 13 head of cattle and grew the herd to over 50 head at the time of his passing. Dan took great pride in teaching his children the importance of faith, love for God, and respect for the freedoms our country offers. His devotion to God was clear through his journal writings and his service in various church callings, including as a family history consultant, Sunday School President, youth Sunday School teacher and counselor in the Young Men's organization. In a particularly meaningful act of love, Dan served alongside his father in the Boise Idaho Temple during his father's final year of life. This sacrifice required Dan to shave off his mustache, which he had worn for many years. Though it made him look different, the opportunity to be with his dad during that time was something he cherished. He also taught his children important life skills, such as driving a pickup and trailer, navigating crowded city streets, and maneuvering along winding mountain river roads. In 2000, Dan bought his own semi-truck and cow trailer, spending the next 12 years hauling cattle for others. He retired from this line of work only when the engine in his truck blew out. Dan then spent the next four years teaching truck driving at College of Western Idaho, where he particularly enjoyed working with students who needed extra help. As a lifelong learner, Dan loved expanding his knowledge and skills. If he wanted to understand something better, he would spend hours researching it on the computer. This curiosity made him a skilled outdoorsman, leatherworker, and even a budding artist, developing a talent for drawing. Dan is survived by his loving wife, Nannette; his children: Sage (Steve) Grover, Rozin, Reuben, Birch, and Loden; his two brothers, Mark (Debra) and Shane (Debora); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Norma. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 112 Randolph Road, in Melba, Idaho. A viewing will take place from 7:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa, Idaho, and again prior to the service from 10:00 to 10:45 AM at the church. Burial will follow at 3:30 pm the Bruneau Cemetery in Bruneau, Idaho.