Daniel J. Potter

Dan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Holy Name High School, Class of 1971. He played all sports as a youth and won the City Baseball Championship four years in a row with the Wayne Transfer. In high school, he was known for his hustle and hard work on the basketball court and his beautiful singing voice, often entertaining his teammates on road trips with pitch perfect replicas of Elvis Presley songs.



His father Rouin, who owned a service station, inspired a passion for automobiles. Dan could repair and rebuild classic cars and taught his children how to maintain cars, especially his daughters. He applied these problem-solving skills and inquisitive nature to all things in life. Always a hard worker with many jobs as a youth, it was his job with Brandeis Catering at Crossroads Mall and later the Ak-Sar-Ben horse racing complex that would change his life forever. That is where he met Carol Pryor, the love of his life. They would marry in 1973 and over the past 49 years together, they raised six children and enjoyed time with their nine grandchildren.



Dan launched his professional career with Swift & Company where he earned an early nickname, The Meat Man. He served as a deli buyer with Swift and later United AG Cooperative until he launched his own business dandeli Specialty Foods in 1996. Dan identified a niche opportunity in the grocery market to supply specialty deli products, including his own line of specialty cheeses, and the business flourished for many years until the cancer made it impossible for Dan to continue.



A true lover of all things outdoors, Dan enjoyed fishing, hunting, being on the water, playing cards and golf. He was passionate about football, especially his Huskers and Chiefs. His favorite holiday was the Fourth of July and he always put on a spectacular picnic and firework show. You would often find him in the early morning hours sitting outside drinking coffee and whistling with the birds he so admired. He loved to travel to the boundary waters with his sons and nephews and always returned with legendary stories. He also shared his love of the outdoors with his younger daughters by taking them camping and teaching them survival skills. His talents as a vocalist are cherished by many, including the Friday night crowd that anticipated his weekly karaoke performances of Elvis and his favorite song and ode to his wife, Sweet Caroline.



Preceded in death by parents Rouin and Mary; brothers David and Timothy; sister Marian; and father in-law Eugene Pryor. Survived by his wife Carol and their children Matthew (LaCosta), Gene, Carrie, Katie (Jeff Peterson), Julie (Tim Richt) and Mary Jo. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren Rowan Potter, Charlie Peterson, Reagan Potter, Sam Peterson, Olivia Richt, Jude Peterson, Ralston Potter, Molly Richt, Ellie Peterson; his siblings Kathleen Schneider (Mike), John Potter (Marci), Betsy Lanphier (Chris); sister in-law Cathy Potter; and mother in-law Barb Pryor.



A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Leo Catholic Church on Friday, August 12th at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska.



Visitation with the family will be held at John A. Gentleman, 1010 North 72nd Street, on Thursday, August 11th from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. The Wake Service and Rosary will begin at 7:00 PM.



Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to support need-based aid for students at Mount Michael Benedictine High School or Mercy High School in honor of Daniel Potter.