Daniel Rama, 28, of Baker City, died June 21, 2002, at Glenwood Springs, Colo.
His memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1250 Hughes Lane. Pastor Roger Scovil of the Baker City Christian Church will officiate. There will be a reception afterward at the Nazarene Church.
Daniel Rama was born June 6, 1974, at Grinnell, Iowa, to Dave and Judy Rama. He grew up in Nebraska, living at Deshler, McCook and North Platte.
He was a 1992 graduate of North Platte High School. During his school years he was active in Cub Scouts and Little League sports. He played on the Northwest Community College basketball team at Norfolk, Neb., for one year. He moved to Lincoln, Neb., and worked there for four years.
In 1998, he moved with his parents to Baker City where he was employed by Grayback Forestry. He worked for the company until his death in a motor vehicle accident on the way to fight the Hayman fire in Colorado.
At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, he was a large young man known for his love of music, his skills on the basketball court, his passion for his firefighting job and his relaxed ability to get along with most everyone. Gentle good humor, a quick smile and a great sense of fun were personal qualities his friends and family will remember.
He was a good player of trivia games, cards and contests of strategy. He enjoyed the outdoor activities to be found in the mountains, camping, hiking and snowboarding.
One of the aspects of his job that he found interesting was the wildlife he got to see. He had not yet crossed paths with a grizzly or wolf, but felt sure that it was only a matter of time.
He was a good person who was interested in the world around him and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his parents, Dave and Judy Rama of Baker City; his friend and former wife, Brandi Nutzman; three brothers, Matt of Madras and Anthony and Christopher of Baker City; two sisters, Taylin “Nicole” of Ashland and Meagan of La Grande; grandparents, Robert and Barbara Spurgeon of Scottsbluff, Neb., and Frances Rama of Minatare, Neb.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814, or delivered to any U.S. Bank location.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 28, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor