Obituary of Samuel Joseph Danna

Samuel Joseph Danna of Yuba City, California, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in Plumas Lake, California, at the age of 22. He was born in Yuba City, California, on March 8, 2001. Sam passed doing what he loved most, working on the family farming operation, Danna Farms. Sam worked as a field technician for Grow West where he started as an intern in 2020 and never left. He would help on the family farm during harvest with plans to someday return full time to the family business. Sam loved agriculture and all that came with it. He loved being in the field, driving trucks, operating equipment, and working with his hands on anything mechanical. Sam was a hard worker who was always willing to jump in and lend a hand, no matter the task. Sam loved all his co-workers, both at Grow West and Danna Farms, where he had developed great, strong friendships. He particularly loved working with his dad and his Uncle Joe at Danna Farms. His energetic presence on the farm inspired a renewed enthusiasm among coworkers for the day-to-day work. He was extremely proud of his family and his heritage, and his family is extremely proud of him. Sam enjoyed everything outdoors. He enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with his family and friends. He loved hunting at the Cox Ranch in Ukiah, sitting in the duck blind in D10, going on hunting trips to Colorado and spending time at his cabin at Trinity Lake. He also loved spending time on the lake, the river wakeboarding, or just cruising in his vintage Keaton boat. Outside of this, you could find Sam working on all types of vintage boats, cars, trucks, and anything with an engine. His favorites were his restored 1970 Bronco and his grandfather Steve's, 1974 Kenworth. He loved participating in any truck or car show, showing off the truck or bronco that he was so proud of and conversing with others of all ages. Sam was an old soul. He loved music and he loved to dance, especially to the classics that debuted before his time. If the party had a dance floor, that is where you would find him. He was his mom's go-to-dance partner and the two loved to listen to music and have "dance parties" together. Sam graduated from Yuba City High School in 2019 where he played baseball and was a member of the trap shooting team. Sam attended one year at Oregon State University but returned home due to COVID. In this time, Sam discovered Grow West, his deep connection to agriculture, and what would be his career path forward. In June of 2023 Sam completed his AA degree at Yuba College, an accomplishment he and his parents were immensely proud of. The most beautiful and special part of Sam was his infectious smile and his happy personality that brought us all joy and happiness. He loved everyone and everyone that had ever met Sam, loved him. He was always the shining light in the room, radiating with positivity and genuineness. He made a giant impact on many people in his short life, something we can all learn from and take forward in our lives. We are all devastated by the sudden loss of our dear Sam. Losing such a special individual at such an early age does not seem right. We are very thankful for the outpouring of love and support we have received over these last few weeks. We appreciate all the friends and family that have come to spend time and provide support for Kelly, Steve, and Lauren. Sam is preceded in death by his grandparents. Walter and Georgann Lacey, Stephen F. Danna, Sr., and Cassandra Kenney. He is survived by his parents, Stephen F. Danna, Jr. and Kelly Lacey Danna; his sister, Lauren R. Danna; uncle, Joseph M. Danna; aunt, Shannon Danna; aunt, Brookelynn Lacey; uncle, Dominic J. Danna; aunt, Gina Danna Galsworthy (Phil); great-aunt, Diana Danna; and cousins, Shaley Danna, Cody Delozier, Lexi Delozier and Emilia Galsworthy. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 AM on November 2, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marysville, CA, which will be immediately followed by a celebration of life at the Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds Main Exhibit Hall. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make any tax deductible contribution to the Sutter Yuba Community Foundation. P.O. Box 3165 Yuba City, CA 95992 and note in the memo section of the check - Samuel J. Danna Memorial Fund.