Daniel Paul Gurley: April 24, 1979-in the hours between June 12 and 13, 2021
This section includes announcements of important events in our lives–births, graduations, engagements, marriages, and deaths. If you want to share an event with your community, please send a photo and a written piece to [email protected].
Daniel Paul Gurley
We are heartbroken to announce that Daniel Paul Gurley lost his life because of a drug overdose in the hours between June 12 and 13, 2021, in Eureka. Daniel was born April 24, 1979 to David Paul and Alice Mae Gurley at the Fort Leavenworth Army Base in Kansas. Born into a military family, he and his father and older brother, Steven, lived in many different states before settling for a while in Pismo Beach, California. Dan spent his elementary school years in Pismo Beach, before he and his father moved to Garberville to be closer to his grandparents who lived in Benbow at the time. Dan and his dad lived with them for a while before moving to a mobile home in Redway. Dan went to South Fork High School, and with his best friend Josh, worked at Shop Smart for a while.
Dan loved to cook. His specialties were pastries and breads. After moving to Eureka he was able to work in several restaurants, and Brio Breads in Arcata. Dan also loved the out-of-doors and camping. Watching sunsets, listening to waterfalls, writing poetry, and marveling at the many flowering plants growing in the forest were also some of his favorite things to do. Dan loved his family and his daughter, Autumn. Dan was a loyal friend to Josh, enjoyed his friendship, and counted on his security by being able to couch-surf when he needed it.
Dan is preceded in death by his father, David Gurley of Miranda, and his grandparents, Bill and Barbara Gurley of Ukiah. He is survived by his daughter, Autumn Crosswhite of Lakeport; his brother, Steven Gurley of Oregon; his aunts Sandy Ludwig of Nevada, and Marcia Nelson of Cloverdale; and his step-mother, Jo Anne Gurley of Miranda.
A celebration of his life was held the day after his death by his friends in the homeless community. In lieu of flowers, or a donation to an organization, the one thing we can all do to honor Dan’s memory is to call your parents, or your brother, or sister and tell them how you are, and that you love them.
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Wishes of peace for him and those who loved him.
Fucken fentanyl!!🦨💨💉
Thank you for sharing Dan’s “story” with me. My heart is saddened by his departure even though I didn’t know him. Many people have loved ones struggling with addictions. Myself included. So Dan’s story will touch many. So many times, how many I do not know, people don’t come forward and share these details. I thank God you did. To the family, I send my condolences. Autumn, I’m sorry you lost your papa. May God comfort you all, friends included, in times of sorrow. If anyone reading this is struggling with an opiate addiction (Heroin, pills, etc) and wants help there are meds you can get now from the Dr. at almost any clinic. And it’s confidential. Please call them and ask about the Medication Assisted Treatment program Aka M.A.T. You don’t have to feel stuck. Help is out there.
Rest in Love Dan. It was so much sorrow and memories that hit me when I heard this. May everyone who is struggling with addiction find the help they need. You were way too young to leave the world this way. Praying peace for everyone left behind. You will be remembered.
Now his loved ones are in the same club as many I lost a nephew.
I took Oxycodone for years but switched to Buprenorphine and it works. I’m shocked by how well it blocks the pain and no withdrawals. Just hard to sleep for a few days.
I will miss my best friend…..I keep breaking down….
Dam guys im so sorry ta hear this its tara from Redway here not sure if u remember me. U all were a big part of my life there, the only life I’ve really had. Never gotten close to anyone since. I’ve thought about the friend ships i had there every day. Dan was a very important one to me he always has advice or some kind of supportive thing to say to me to help me threw my situations. I guess I’m glad I took his advice when he said if I want a better life “get the f*** outta humboldt” or I wouldn’t be alive to read this post . Im more glad I was ever there to meet the people like Dan that I did because those people are the only real ones that I’ve ever met. Rest in peace buddy I will see u again this I know until then in my ❤ u will always be.
Be free Dan. I will never forget the memories, sitting on the dock by the bay watching a sunset. Hanging out at Josh’s. Cooking. You’re a good guy. Love you. You are missed.
Miss you homie we had our fights but you were always a friend rest in peace gurley you were a major part of my childhood and will be missed dearly . I wish u would have never have gotten high on that crap we did it together for the first time and it was a wrap after that .. I’m sorry homie I miss u already
I’m very sorry to hear about this loss.
Thanks to everyone who made me cry again, reading your comments about Dan. I feel the same, Josh, I’m ok, then I’m not. It’s just such a waste of a good man–there was so much more time to be spent with people you loved. The only bright side is that he’s with his Dad now. With love and sadness, Jo Anne.
I view this site every now and then. I miss Daniel so much