Daniel Wayne Braithwaite

Daniel "Danny" Wayne Braithwaite
November 2, 1947 - March 13, 2025

Danny Wayne Briathwaite unexpectedly passed away on March 13, 2025 at his home in Sterling, Utah, where he has lived since 2009.

He was born in Nephi, Utah. His mother, Erma J Chase, had barely turned 18 when she gave birth to her first born son, Danny. Fortunately, her mother, Dora Chase, was there to help and guide her through the new world of becoming a parent. His father, Wayne Braithwaite worked in Nephi to provide for them.

When he was five-years-old, the family moved to Spanish Fork, Utah. His mother gave birth to his brother, Edwin Leon in 1952. Two years after Eddie was born, the family moved to the west side of Provo, Utah. Todd, another brother was born in 1958 and became the third son of Wayne and Erma. The final move occurred in 1959, when his family moved to Orem, Utah.

Danny attended Lincoln Jr. High School and graduated from Orem High School in 1965. Later, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Brazil from 1966-1968.

Danny (Daniel) had a very unique personality. In fact, at a very young age, he was determined not to become like “regular” people. When others were playing baseball, he chose to work on his chemistry set. At ten-years-old he became obsessed with UFO’s. Rather than work, he discovered a way to capture black widow spiders and then put them in clear acrylic domes and sell them. Danny was a dreamer. He was inspired by and loved watching the movies that came to his high school, like The Adventures of John Goddard. After viewing these movies, he made it his goal to take and lead expeditions to Africa like his hero did.

Daniels was very intelligent. He earned very high grades at Orem High School and BYU. He was on the honor roll often. He spoke fluent Portuguese, and French (self taught), some German and he could also understand Spanish.

One of his greatest joys was solo backpacking in the high Uintah Mountains. After his mission, Dan decided to join the US Army for a four-six year commitment rather than be drafted and sent to Vietnam.

Because of his qualifications and his desire to serve in some exotic location, Daniel was sent to Panama for a 4-year assignment as an intelligence officer. It was in Panama that Daniel learned the art of professional photography. Panama still had primitive Native Indian Tribes that lived deep in the jungle. Dan made contact with them and often visited their villages to practice his new love of photography.

In between all of this, he fell in love with his wife to be, Anna Bromyard. They were married and had three children: Andrea, Cindy and Jared.

After completing his service in the US Army, Dan returned to Utah and started working as an insurance adjustor.

His desires to explore and live different life styles than others, came in direct conflict with being married and having a family. Unfortunately, Dan and Anna eventually divorced.

At a great cost, Dan left his family to pursue his dreams. The emotional and traumatic damage to his children was significant. His ex-wife and children have never really recovered from the choices that he made.

Ultimately, Dan finally fulfilled his life long dream and became an expedition leader and led a group of like minded explorers to Gabon, Africa to the deep jungle forest to visit the wild gorillas that lived there and had many other exciting adventures along the way. After three years in Gabon, he eventually returned to the US and purchased a small house in Sterling, Utah. He lived there alone for 16 years. He had close friends and a passion for natural health and healing where he shared that passion with those he loved and cherished. However, he was estranged from his children. Recently he confided that he deeply regretted the choices that he made many years ago.

He is survived by his brother Edwin and his sister, Tauni Lynn Wilkes. He is also survived by his children, Andrea, Cindy and Jared. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Erma Braithwaite; and his brother, Todd Braithwaite.

We send him off in love, peace, healing and forgiveness to Jesus to be surrounded by His love.

Cremation will take place in Magleby Mortuary and Cremation Center in Richfield. There will be a family graveside service in Spanish Fork Cemetery at a later date where he will be buried next to his brother, Todd Braithwaite. We wish to thank Magleby Mortuary, Richfield for their kind assistance.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook www.maglebymortuary.com