Daniel J. Motal

Daniel J. Motal, a proud veteran of the US Navy, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Beloved husband for 48 years to Carolyn (Lange) Motal. Devoted father of Heather Tobin. Dan, the son of August Ernest and Edith Marie (Muska) Motal, grew up in Yoakum, Texas. He was born on August 18, 1951, at Huth Memorial Hospital. He was a 1969 graduate of St. Joseph’s Catholic High School. Dan then moved to Houston, Texas, to work and attend college, where he took business and computer electronics courses.

In March 1971, at the age of 19, Dan enlisted in the US Navy. He deeply loved his country and proudly served on the USS Alamo, USS Manitowoc, and the USS St Louis. He served in the Vietnam War and in service of the Republic of the Philippines during disaster relief operations. Dan received the following military honors: the National Defense Service Medal, Philippine Presidential Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, and the Good Conduct Award.

Dan could never pass up a good joke or one-liner, and his contagious laugh drew in a crowd. He was a very skilled handyman who could build or fix anything. He helped friends and family build houses and remodel kitchens in his free time. In his later years, he treasured memories of these projects and wondered how he had the energy to do so much.

Dan was an avid gardener who maintained a bountiful summer and winter vegetable garden in Texas and continued gardening in Colorado by joining the Windsor Gardens Gardening Club. He especially loved his pear trees and mustard greens.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, August Sr. and Edith; his brother, August; and his brother-in-law, David. Dan is survived by his wife, Carolyn; their daughter, Heather; his son-in-law, Richard; his sisters, Judy and Marie; his brother, Melvin; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his two “grand dogs,” Elliot and Phoebe.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center in Temple, Texas.

A service honoring the life of Dan will be held at 10 a.m. CST, Monday, April 15th, at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas. After the service, the family will host a celebration of life at the Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center in Temple, Texas.