RIRIE, ID—OCTOBER 19, 2021—Heaven gained another cowboy as Danny (Dan) Alvin Moon left this Earth on October 16, 2021, with his family at his side, after a battle with idiomatic pulmonary fibrosis.

Dan was born on what is assumed to have been a sunny day on July 10, 1943, in Ellensburg, Washington, but then again, in Washington, it could have been a rainy day. Either way, it must have been a magical day for parents Don and Alice Moon.

He grew up in Saint Anthony, Idaho, as the big brother to five younger siblings. He was a natural leader and took on many challenges as a young boy and young adult. He started working very early on to help take care of the family and graduated from Saint Anthony High school in 1961.

He enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1964 and served until 1970. He was a Sergeant First Class in the 116th Engineer Battalion and completed his military duty in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. After returning from Vietnam and completing his military service, Dan began working for John Price & Associates where he worked from 1970 through 1979.

In 1979 he went to work for Bateman Hall and later partnered as owner in the company where he remained until he retired in either 2009 or 2010 – that argument that was never quite settled.

In 1973, Dan fell for a beautiful young waitress at a diner he frequented while working a job in Pocatello. That young waitress and love of his life, Connie, became his wife in January 1974 and he became the proud father of his princess, Wendy. The family of three quickly became four when Shay arrived in the fall. Robin followed a few years later and just when you thought they were done, Andy was born and completed the Moon Crew.

They made their home in Ririe, Idaho. Dan and Connie were married for nearly 47 years. She, along with his children, was his everything.

Dan always had a love for horses. He and Connie have a horse hobby, Moon Quarter Horses, and have been successful owners and breeders of Quarter Horses flat racing and chariot racing. His runners have earned more than $500,000 in his own name, including stakes winner Jet Wings One.

Jet Wings One is scheduled to run in Saturday's $125,000 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship(G3) at The Downs in Albuquerque.

Dan loved fishing, hunting, and as much as he tried to quit 'em, the Denver Broncos (since 1960). Dan also dreamed of one day building a cabin. He made that dream come true and had a beautiful cabin at the base of the mountains near Kilgore that he considered to be a little piece of heaven.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Connie Moon, four children, Wendy (Mike) Garz of Emmett, Idaho, Shay (Maranda) Moon of Ririe, Idaho, Robin (Tim) Moore of Ammon, Idaho, and Andy (Audrey) Moon of Ririe, Idaho. He is survived by nine grandchildren (or brats as he always teased), Daniel, Kenedee, Jordyn, Brytton, Tanner, Robbie, Katelynn, Breylon, and Tobin along with one great-grandson, Maxwell. He is also survived by his siblings, Randy (Susan) Moon of Yarmouth, Maine, Tamara Hebertson of Ucon, Idaho, Shawna Murray of Eagle, Idaho, Melanie Munns of Archer, Idaho, and Shane Moon of Saint Anthony, Idaho, along with many nieces and nephews.

Through the years, there were also many partnerships developed in his professional life, including Kim Hall and others from Bateman Hall.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Alice Moon, his older brother Lyle Don Moon, his beloved Aunt Gladys and Uncle Deak Hodges, his mother- and father in-law, Maxwell and Margaret Weaver, and his nephew Travis Clark.

He also had many beloved pets that were lost along the way, one in particular, his red heeler Rusty that must have intensely greeted him with a woodchip to put on his boot.

A Celebration of Life will be November 5, 2021, at the Idaho Falls Elks Lodge (640 E Elva St, Idaho Falls, ID 83401) from 3 - 7 pm. Come raise a glass and bring some stories to help celebrate the most hated man in eight states (as he would say). Truth is, he was loved very much and will be missed more than he could ever have known.

Services are under the care of Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby. Condolences may be sent to the family online at eckersellfuneralhome.com.