Daniel Robert Gajdica

Daniel Robert Gajdica, 80 years old, of Mckinney, TX, went to Heaven on April 4, 2023 after a battle with lung disease and lung cancer. Dan is survived by wife Susie Gajdica, daughter Beth Gajdica Watson, step sons David and Kevin Owings, and 9 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Archer, Charlene Pollard, and Margie Gunter. 

Daniel was born on February 7th, 1943 to Charlie and Martha Gajdica in the city of West, Texas. After high school, Dan went to college at what is now the University of Texas at Arlington to study engineering. After graduating college, Dan served 4 years in the United States Air Force.

Dan met the love of his life, Susie, at a Catholic Singles Group Dance. Susie loved that Dan was so handsome, a great dancer, and a wonderful man. They married not long after. Susie brought her two amazing sons into the marriage. Dan said becoming their step father was an honor. One year after they married, Dan and Susie had a baby girl, Elizabeth (Beth). 

Dan was a brilliant, creative, hardworking man with a witty sense of humor. He was the best father, grandfather, and friend that a man could be. Dan earned his living by working for the city of Farmers Branch as a civil engineer, code analyst, and architect. He retired at age 50 to work for himself buying and selling real estate and investment properties. He could build and fix anything. His family called him “Dan the Man.” Dan worked his entire life to provide an amazing life for his family. He also was a godly leader in his family as a Catholic Christian. Dan was patient, kind, wise and an excellent listener. His grandchildren were his world. He attended every sporting event he could and loved to take them fishing and build things with them. 

Dan’s wife and family were by his side until the very end. They loved him dearly and he loved them with his whole heart. Dan will be deeply missed, but we know he is in Heaven with the Lord and we will someday see him again. 

                                                                                   Don’t think of him as gone away
                                                                                         his journey’s just begun
                                                                                        life holds so many facets
                                                                                            this earth is only one.
                                                                                      Just think of him as resting
                                                                                    from the sorrows and the tears
                                                                                  in a place of warmth and comfort
                                                                                   where there are no days or years.
                                                                                    Think how he must be wishing
                                                                                        that we could know today
                                                                                     how nothing but our sadness
                                                                                          can really pass away.
                                                                                       And think of him as living
                                                                                  in the hearts of those he touched
                                                                                     for nothing loved is ever lost