Daniel Robert Wells

Disgruntled Man Gets Wish to Speak to the Big Man Upstairs

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming, “WOOHOO What a ride!” Danny may not have been screaming, “WOOHOO!” but his body was thoroughly used up and totally worn out…just like he wanted it to be.

Danny completed the Wells family in 1970. He was the youngest of eight children born to Paul and Loral Wells. This is a factual statement, but Danny was far more than facts and statements. He was hard to sum up in a few paragraphs, so we’ll try to explain a larger-than-life person with inadequate, limited words.

But one more fact, May 26, 1986 was a day that forever altered the trajectory of Danny’s life. The wreck changed Danny’s body permanently but also created an iron clad determination in him to never give up and do things his way. He wrote, “at age fifteen I was in a serious accident which shattered cervical 6 and 7 in my neck; at the time the doctors were not very hopeful of the progress I would make, and they weren’t even sure if I would ever walk again. Ever since I have been caught between two worlds: one world of being disabled and the other world of not being disabled enough. The accident left my right hand paralyzed, and my right leg drags as I walk. My left hand functions better than my right, but it is still nowhere near a normal hand. My left leg also has limited ability.”

Loral always called him, “My Danny” and loved him fiercely, doing all he’d allow her to do to help him. She wanted to protect him, but he was going to live his life, his way. He decided to go on an LDS mission in spite of protests. Serving in the Houston Texas East Mission was a topic he spoke of often throughout his life. He talked of cutting his own hair and developing a love of spicy foods. This adventure shaped Danny, refined maybe but certainly mission life contributed to making Danny into who we all knew and loved.

Throughout his life, Danny worked assorted jobs…just like everyone else. Like the average Idaho kid, he moved pipe but the wreck halted more summers of it. He worked at US Bank in Blackfoot. When asked how to spell his name (for his name tag) he wanted to be different and uniquely himself. D-A-N-N was his answer. Sometime in his early 20’s he bought the house on Pine Street, in Pocatello. Prior to signing and occupying the house, while waiting for moving day….he decided he wasn’t washing dishes anymore. He’d use a dish, spoon, pan etc. then throw it away. “I’ll just buy more when I get there.”

Danny attended ISU to study Social Work and Criminology with the intent of working with at risk youth. Raging migraines along with other medical challenges prevented attaining a degree. But as we all know, nothing stops Danny, he just plows through and figures it out. In a bag in his apartment, we found something he’d written which is an example of this. He wrote, “Today I drove past another one of those obvious blue handicapped parking spaces knowing I could park there, but I’m not going to. Medically and physically, I qualify to park in those spots because of my spinal cord injury. Today, I look forward to the extra ten yard I get to walk without assistance to the mall entrance and I am grateful I have come this far.” Sounds like “Our Danny” plowing through and figuring it out, like always.

Danny earned Yellow, Orange and Purple belts in Kenpo Karate in 1995. A roommate excitedly shared what he learned while training as a security guard. Danny said, “Ok, do that move on me,” and the roommate ended up on the floor or against the wall because Danny could best any move. He worked for Wealth of Heath and learned all about supplements needed for assorted fitness workouts. He adapted and succeeded beyond his physical limits to become a “gym rat.” Danny worked behind the scenes as a tech at the radio station. He drove yellow cab. He also did a different sort of driving. He drove “the powers that be” nuts because of two Channel 12 Public Access TV shows he was involved with. “That Show” ended when Danny had to face Pocatello City Council for questionable content. The second show which was not aired live (to appease the City Council) was called “It’s Not That Late.” Search on YouTube and you can find a few episodes. Danny ran for City Council of Pocatello twice. In 2015, it was for Seat One. Danny received 1951 votes compared to his well-known realtor opponent receiving 2702. This community of 60,000 had a bad turnout, but Dann was a formidable opponent. If you listen, you can hear Danny ranting about this opponent. In 2017, Seat Four, Danny received more votes 2367, but lost in a larger margin.

Danny knew a wide variety of people through his five and a half decades. A lot called him confidant and trustworthy. He had the uncanny ability to get to know a person and allow them to open up. Danny didn’t bring out the best in people, nor did he bring out the worst. (Maybe he did in a few he dated, but we don’t know those stories.) He brought out the true version of each person he got to know. There was no care in what that true version was, he was interested in authentic. He was a friend without judgement.

Daniel Robert Wells is survived by his wheelchair, standing frame and a large pile of energy drinks. He made a much bigger impact in this world than he realized. He will be missed by many, who will share story after story for decades to come…stories and memories funny enough to make a tear run down your leg.

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