Daniel Ochs

Daniel G. Ochs, 61, Bolivar, MO Passed away, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at his home. Daniel Gene Ochs, the first baby born on Father's Day June 17th, 1956, in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was the eldest of nine children born to Robert Gene and Judith Kathleen Ochs. Dan's family moved to several different towns until his parents finally settled in Hoisington, Kansas when he was 10 years old. It was there he graduated High School, and later, attended Barton County Community College. As a young man he was very outgoing and enjoyed Sports including baseball, football, and basketball. He was also heavily into scouting, and as an Eagle scout, achieved the level of Order of the Arrow. Dan also indulged avidly in camping, fishing, and hunting with his family as most young men do in central Kansas. In later years he enjoyed woodworking, remodeling, and building at his home. But his first and foremost activity was his music; and he excelled in the world of guitar playing. Dan started playing the bass in his teen years, and progressed to become one of the top lead guitar players in his area. He even achieved success playing the double neck steel. He once won a hot licks contest in the professional class of musicians, and played in many bands, too numerous to mention, while gaining much respect among his peers. As far as Dan's family are concerned, one of his greatest attributes was his ability to tell a great story, and to pull an unsuspecting prank on one of his friends or family members. In 1974 he met and married his wife Nancy in the small western town of WaKeeney, Kansas. Dan and Nancy soon moved back to the Hoisington area, where they lived for the next 20 years, raising their three daughters Jacki, Amanda, and Morgan. His life in the workforce started in the oil patch. He very soon became a Driller on the “Big Iron,” as it was called, which is another name for a Rotary Drilling Rig. He later moved on to become a Drill Stem Tester. In 1998 he and Nancy moved to Bolivar, Missouri where he started driving for Indiana Western Express. That turned out to be his final career, giving 18 years of service and over 2 million safe miles as an Over the Road Truck Driver, which he truly enjoyed. Above all else, family was absolutely foremost in his life. He took much pride and satisfaction knowing that Nancy and the girls have become what they are today… successful, kind, helpful and caring individuals. Dan is proceeded in death by his father and mother, two of his brothers Randy and Jack, and his sister Melody. He is survived by his brothers Robert and Jason, his sisters Merri, Esther, and Linette; his wife Nancy, his daughters Jacki, Amanda, and Morgan, and his grandchildren Daylan, Alexandria, Caden, Brody and Kenzie. Dan was a conscientious and true believer in Jesus Christ as our savior, and he was known to tell of many happenings in his life that he knew and believed to be divine. He would say, “I am surrounded by the angels, and they give me comfort and protection.” As reiterated by the passage “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” Psalms 91:11. Remember there is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief…and unspeakable love.” Services for Dan will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be held from 9:00- 10:00 AM Saturday, March 17, at the Funeral Home. Burial will take place in the Greenwood Cemetery. Contributions can be made in Daniel's honor to Bolivar Care To Learn or to the family.

Daniel Ochs

June 17, 1956 - March 13, 2018