Daniel Timothy Mayfield

Daniel Timothy Mayfield was born in Hammond, Indiana on a hot, July morning and passed away at home in Squirrell Valley on a rainy, early morning April 27th, 2025, from a massive, and unexpected heart attack. Daniel was born to Ernest and Elnora Mayfield, and he was one of 9 children (5 boys and 4 girls), Dan was second to the last. His father served for 39 years between the Army, the Army Air-Core, and later the Air-Force. When Dan was an infant, the family was stationed in the Azores, and he spent his first 6 years living there. His nanny was a local... so Portuguese became his first language.
The family then moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, where Dan spoke Portuguese with a southern accent while he learned English. When his dad retired from the military, he took a job at the Gideon Bible Co. In Lowell, Indiana. Dan and his dad would drive from town to town handing out Bibles to Churches, hospitals, hotels, motels, shelters, and even prisons. This is when Dan’s love of evangelism grew. During this time Dan also sang in many Chistian Gospel Choirs on his travels.
While in Jr. High, High School, and College Dan exceled in all sports, but he was best at baseball and had always loved playing it. Starting at the age of 3 years old his dad had him learning how to be a catcher and playing in the base sponsored adult games as soon as Dan was able to. After playing Baseball while getting his degree in college, he moved from different minor team to minor team until he landed in northern California and played minor league baseball for the Okland A’s. He played for a couple of years until a serious injury took him and to an athletic rehabilitation center down in Los Angeles. He was tired of the baseball lifestyle, so he went back to a skill he had learned in his teens, tile setting and carpentry work. He bought a tile and marble store (Continental World Tile) in Reseda.
This is where he met the love of his life, Christina who also became his wife. In 1990 after a trip to visit Chris’s grandparents in Lake Isabella, Dan said “We are moving there.” Two weeks later, on Easter Weekend, they moved to Squirrell Valley. He loved the KRV and never wanted to leave.
November 24th,1993 was the happiest day of his life. He delivered his daughter, Gabriella in the bathroom at home! She was his pride and joy. As she grew up. Dan taught he so, so many life skills. How to grow a garden, love and raise animals, work hard always, change a tire, hammer a nail in straight, to always be a kind and caring person to do anything for anyone, but most of all, to love our Lord and Jesus Christ. Dan also taught Gabby the love of sports, but she excelled in bowling starting at the age of 8, at Mt. Mesa Lanes.
From the time she was 12 years old, Dan and Gabby travelled the country for her to bowl in tournaments and competitions. By the time Gabby was 16, all the college scouts had noticed her, and Dan was able to secure a full ride scholarship for her to attend the University of Central Missouri. Dan flew out to watch many of her competitions and was there when she received the 2011 NCAA Rookie of the Year award. He was so proud of his little girl!
In 2012, Dan leased Mt. Mesa Lanes for almost 3 years. After that, Dan was able to watch Gabby coach Valparaiso University women’s bowling team while taking graduate courses, and watch Gabby compete on the PWBA (Professional Women’s Bowling Association) tour. When Gabby graduated with her Masters, she came back to the KRV and bought Mt. Mesa Lanes. Dan was so happy to be able to work side by side with her every day. It brought him so much joy to bring life back into the center for our community of bowlers. Dan was also a very good bowler and for a while, he bowled on every league.
When Covid hit, Dan loved spending time in the Bible and by God’s Word he started writing books and publishing, under the non de plume of Daniel Bridegroom (his mother’s maiden name). Dan had just finished his 16th book the day before he passed “In the Twinkling of an Eye.” He gave away hundreds of his books to family, friends, and even strangers, never taking a penny for them, just wanting anyone and everyone to hear the Lord’s Good Word. Dan became known as the “Preaching Bartender” with rarely an empty barstool from the time the doors were opened until late at night. He was also a jokester, always bringing laughter to the bowling center and the first person you would see. He was very generous and donated and contributed to any cause or group that would ask. Dan was a simple, hardworking man, never wanting much for himself. A t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes were his choice of attire, with his long silver braid trailing down his back. He loved the Lord, his family, home, friends, animals, and his garden.
Daniel is survived by his wife Christina, and only daughter Gabriella – her soon to be husband, who had been like a son to Dan for 20 years Michael Clanton; his sisters, Ernestine Osborn, Carolyn Holloway, Nelda Huffman, Bonita Ledzius, the youngest and last brother James Mayfield, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Earnest R.N. Mayfield, his mother, Elnora J. (Bridegroom) Mayfield, and 3 brothers, William, Charles, and Darrell. He would have been overwhelmed to see the outpouring of love and support given to his family during the aftermath. Dan was also the Chaplin of the Eagles Lodge Aries 3156 in Mt. Mesa. The Eagles Lodge hosted a beautiful “Celebration of Life” on June 1st where at least 250/300 people were in attendance. Dan made a huge impact on so many lives, and everyone was shocked at his sudden passing. He will truly be missed by his family and the entire community.