Daniel Eugene Gottry

Daniel Eugene Gottry was born on August 27, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Roger Eugene Gottry and Helen Viola Gottry (Johnson). He grew up in a loving home with his father, mother, and beloved older brother, Steven Roger Gottry. Dan spent his early years in southwestern Minnesota, graduating from Mt. Lake High School in 1969. He then moved to Minneapolis where he attended the University of Minnesota, studying music and business. He also met the love of his life, Sandy.

In 1971, Dan married Sandra Kay Morris and they lived in Minneapolis and Bloomington, Minnesota, for nine years. He began his career working for a Christian book distribution company, Successful Living. He and Sandy had two sons, Joshua Daniel Gottry (1974) and James Michael Gottry (1976). In 1983, the family moved to Waco, Texas, where Dan worked for Word Books and Records. They relocated to Orange, California, in 1986 and settled in Mesa, Arizona, in 1989. Dan loved working for 30 years at the United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) New Day Center in Phoenix, where he served with a faithful staff committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those impacted by homelessness. For the past 18 years, Dan and Sandy have lived in Chandler, Arizona.

Dan’s life was one of trust and grace. He had a deep and abiding faith and trust in his heavenly Father to always love and accept him, and to always lead and provide for him and his family. He lived this belief throughout his life and extended grace to all he knew. He was a wonderful, loving, faithful husband who nourished and cherished his wife. He was a devoted and involved father who modeled life well for his sons, whom he loved deeply, and he was extremely proud of them as godly men, husbands, and fathers. Dan’s life was marked by integrity and dedicated work in caring for and serving others. He faithfully served God, his family, his church, and his community in countless ways. One of the highlights of his life of serving was the ten years he and Sandy spent shepherding and discipling a group of young newlyweds at Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona. The bonds of friendship and faith developed there continue strong to this day.

Dan received his ultimate healing from cancer the night of December 28, 2022. His loving and devoted wife of 51 years was at his side when he took his final breath on earth and entered into the presence of Jesus in heaven. He is preceded in death by his father, Roger; and mother, Helen. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; his brother and spouse, Steve and Karla; children and spouses, Josh and Amy, and James and Lea; and six grandchildren, Emily, Caleb, Lucas, Benjamin, Abigail, and Jackson. He was also loved and admired by his three brothers-in-law and their spouses, Ron and Joy Morris, Rod and Elaine Morris, and Brad and Denise Morris and many beloved nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by an extended community of family and friends that have been remarkably and permanently impacted by his life.

Psalm 16:5-10 is Dan's testimony to God's faithfulness.

"Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; you hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who counsels me - even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay."