Danny Jay Besich “Bronto” passed away May 1, 2022, at 4:20 a.m. at Central Wyoming Hospice following his battle with stage 4 cancer.
He was born June 28, 1955, and raised in Superior, where he had a phenomenal group of friends and family. They gave him support while his father and mother were splitting as a young boy, and he lived for a time in the home of his cousins, Steve, Paul, and Tina Besich. These cousins were like siblings to him and, as such, had their differences at times as brothers and sisters do. He had a brother, Ross, who was like a father figure to him and took him fishing often. He lived with Ross’s family for a time and took care of the daughters who were babies then so became real close to all. It caused him anguish when they moved to Idaho.
His Dad’s sister, Katherine Coxon, had children with whom he became close. He enjoyed time spent with his cousin Mark Coxon due to their being closer in age than the others (Dick, Ron, and Marilyn). Dan’s father Andro (Andy) proceeded him in death as did his aunts and uncles and his cousin Steve Besich. He was so happy to grow up in Superior among people who gave him lots of support. The Townsend Family treated him like family as did the Bryant Family. Guy Bryant gave Dan a job at his gas station and he became best of friends with Guy Bryant Jr. They texted each other frequently until the end. Dan always remembered all of the people there for him in the start. He frequently mentioned Tony Donlin and the Tamerons who owned and operated his favorite restaurant “Los Hermanos”. He had great memories of home and the many people he knew.
He gained the nickname “Bronto” short for Brontosaurus due to his stature. As an adult, he was 6’3”, wore a size 13 shoe, and had a big heart to match. He went on to work for a defense contractor completing tasks required in the mining of copper to be used chiefly for the Dept. of Defense which included transporting and using various explosives while at the Magma Copper Mine by Superior. He operated pneumatic machinery at the mine and acquired extensive First Aid Training-Assisted with Rescue and Recovery Operations following a fatal accident at the Magma Copper Mine in Arizona-He received a Certificate of Participation from Arizona State Mine Inspector. In addition to completing mining in Arizona, he did such in Douglas, WY, Tooele, UT, and then to the Silver Valley in Idaho. He and wife met in Idaho as both had moved up there from their home states about the same time. They instantly fell in love, got married in a small church in the forest of Pinehurst, ID on Feb. 14, 1980, with his brother Ross and Ross’s then wife Sandy as witnesses. They moved to Dan’s home state of Arizona where they lived in Superior, Mesa, and then Apache Junction.
When the Magma Copper Mine closed, Dan held a variety of jobs. He worked at General Motors Desert Proving Grounds where he test drove various G.M. vehicles; Assisted and researched product design and production of automobiles with automotive engineers; Logged and reported critical data on a daily report and received the General Motors R1534 Durability Test Certification. He worked construction and completed tasks for the Prince of Tonga who owned property being built on in Arizona. Dan served as a labor foreman for the prince, supervising six laborers where he trained personnel in equipment operation and maintenance; assigned personnel to complete assignments fitting their needs and capabilities; consulted with operators in other depts and performed trouble shooting. He completed Interstate Commodities Transportation and was flexible and knowledgeable to undertake other positions.
Dan and wife decided to move to Colorado to be between Dan’s family in Arizona and Suzy’s family in New Mexico and Wyoming. Colorado got too chaotic so moved to Wyoming the last quarter in 2016. Suzy’s family thought highly of Dan. With his great personality, he easily obtained friends and made several after he and his wife moved back to her home of Casper, WY. They traveled to New Mexico when could to spend time with Suzy’s brother Dick Farmer, his wife Jean, and their kids Jules and Jackie. Jules developed a deep connection with Danny as a child. They had a shared interest in football. While living in Colorado, he took the kids of a friend to a Broncos Event. Dan had plans to see brother Ross, but Ross died in November 2021.
Dan was genuinely wholesome, cared deeply about people, projected light, had a good sense of humor, was thoughtful, and respectful. He’s one of those “ONE OF A KIND” people you meet in your life. Dan’s love of the outdoors gave him many opportunities. He water skied in Arizona. He enjoyed hunting whenever the opportunity presented itself. He was a hiker and fisherman. His love of sports included playing baseball as a youth. After high school, he went on to join the Marines.
Dan is survived by wife of 42 years, Suzanne “Suzy” (Farmer) Besich, who did her best to comfort him. After cremation, a celebration of his life in Superior, AZ and one in Casper, WY are being planned. The Superior event will be held next spring when the family gets together for their annual cleaning of the cemetery in Claypool, AZ at which time, Danny’s ashes will be placed next to his Father’s.