Daniel Franklin Paige, 69, of Rio Linda, passed away on March 28, 2023.
Dan was born on March 11, 1954, to Robert and Patsy Paige in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They moved to the Rio Linda/Elverta area when Dan was a toddler. Growing up, Dan had a love of sports, playing football, running track, and competing in the long jump. He also had a passion for music and marched in the school marching band playing the clarinet.
After graduating from Rio Linda High School in 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Judith Kopel. They wed in 1972, going on to have 4 daughters, Jennifer, Cindy, Amy, and Karen. They were married 32 years at the passing of Judith in 2005.
Finding love once was a great joy to Dan, but finding love again was a blessing. He would often say how blessed he was to have two great loves of his life. Dan met Laura in 2006 and went on to marry her in 2018. With this union, Dan’s family grew to include 3 more daughters, Stephanie, Kami, and Lauren.
Dan’s passion was his family and the business that he owned. At the age of 16, he opened his first business working for himself and selling leather at Denio’s Auction. Building success as a businessman he opened SunShine Sand and Gravel from his backyard with his wife Judy. Working together they built their business and moved to their permanent location on Elk Horn Blvd from 1985 to 1994.
In the mid-1980s Dan and Judy bought farmland on Dry Creek Rd. in Rio Linda and moved into the farmhouse (Later to be renamed the Dry Creek Ranch House). Dan took on farming, growing hay and various livestock while running his Gravel business. In 1994 Dan sold the majority of the land and farmhouse to the county, which later turned into the Dry Creek Ranch House and Parkway run by the Rio Linda historical society.
He took a break to build his dream home in 1994 before going back to business for himself.
This time he went into the volumetric mixer business, building and mounting volumetric mixers. This entrepreneurial spirit guided him for over 50 years as a businessman with great success not only for himself but for his family as well. Beyond business, Dan loved his land.
Dan could often be found on his tractor or lawn mower taking care of the land. If not working you could find him out back next to his bond fire smoking a cigar and listening to music. If you happened to stop by his house Dan and Laura would welcome you with open arms and offer you a drink and a cigar for a good story and great laughs by the fire.
Anyone who knew Dan knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. He taught his grandkids how to drive “Squeaky,” the lawn mower, or the tractors. Dan loved helping to teach his children and grandchildren.
Dan was predeceased by his parents Robert and Patsy Paige, and Judith Paige. Dan is survived by his wife Laura, his 7 daughters and son-in-laws Jennifer and Dan Thomas, Cindy and Rob Bunton, Stephanie Chipps and Mike Eskuchen, Kami Shepherd, Amy and Aaron Limoges, Karen and Brad Bartholomew, and Lauren and Kraig Kimball, his 15 grandchildren Jordan, Katelyn, Samuel, Peyton, Judy, Logan, Edward, Collin, Mason, Matthew, Kylie, Madison, Madelyn, Kooper, and Grace, and his 4 siblings Peter Paige, Tammy Winters, Mike Paige, and Robert Paige.
The family requests that all flowers and notes are sent to SunSet Lawns Chapel of the Chimes 4701 Marysville Blvd. Sacramento, Ca 95838. There will be a Viewing on April 6th from 3:00-6:00 pm. The funeral service will be on April 7th at 1:00 pm at Sunset Lawns Chapel of the Chimes.
