Daniel Kasza Obituary

Fort Lewis College student Daniel Joseph Kasza died in an automobile accident in South Fork on Sunday, June 28, 2009. He was 21.

Mr. Kasza was born to Joe and Kaye McEndree Kasza in Lamar on May 22, 1988.

He was the valedictorian of McClave High School Class of 2007 in Southeast Colorado. Mr. Kasza was captain of the Knowledge Bowl Team that won the state championship during his junior year and was state runner-up his senior year. He was an active member of 4-H and FFA. In 2007, he was named the Outstanding Senior 4-H member in Bent County.

Mr. Kasza enjoyed the woodworking he learned from his Uncle Bob Ballou through 4-H. His family said he made a lot of beautiful furniture.

Football was his passion. Mr. Kasza started on both sides of the ball for the McClave Cardinals for three years. He went to Australia one year to play in the DownUnder Bowl. The experience inspired him to continue his football career playing for the Loggers at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. It also influenced his plans to teach and coach high school students.

Mr. Kasza had lived in Durango since 2008, when he came to study at FLC.  He worked at Home Depot from March to August 2008 and had been a server at Applebee's Neighborhood Grill since May 2008.

He was a member of the River Church. His family said he had several tattoos, one of which on his forearm represented his faith. He said, "I wear my faith on my arm ... quite literally." He enjoyed singing contemporary Christian songs.

Mr. Kasza was extremely generous, his family said, and while at college in Washington, he helped feed the homeless under an overpass every Friday night. He was looking forward to mission trips in Africa and Mexico to work with disadvantaged youths, and an earlier mission trip to Milwaukee  was a special memory.

He enjoyed snowboarding, river rafting, hiking and learning about his family history.

"Daniel was very ornery and was always planning some kind of mischief, usually at the expense of a friend or loved one. While he was never mean or unkind, you always knew Daniel was there," his family wrote.

Mr. Kasza is survived by his parents, Joe and Kaye Kasza; sister, Susan Kasza; and grandparents Willard and Maxine Kasza, all of McClave.

A service was held Thursday, July 2, 2009, at McClave School. Burial took place at Maxey Cemetery in rural Baca County. The Rev. Paul Brunner and TL Phillips officiated.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Daniel Kasza Memorial Fund, c/o McClave State Bank, 101 East St., McClave, CO 81057.