Daniel Rubert Shields

Daniel Rupert Shields, Dan, 76, of Yuba City, CA, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

He was born January 30, 1948, in New York, and graduated from New Dorp High School in Staten Island, NY, 1966. 

In 1970, he married Mary at the McGuire AFB Chapel, NJ. 

A veteran of the Peacetime and Vietnam Era, he served in the United States Air Force from June 1967 until his retirement as a Technical Sergeant, 23 years later at Beale AFB, in 1990. He made Yuba City, CA, his permanent home. 

Afterwards, he worked for a short time as a gas station attendant and at a Lumber Mill. He retired again, in 2014, after working 22 years for the United States Postal Service in Sacramento, CA.

His walk of faith began in childhood at Catholic school in New York. 

In 1985, he was Baptized at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, in Olivehurst, CA. He enjoyed singing in church choirs, teaching Sunday school, ushering, Bible study, and serving the Lord whenever and however he was called to do so. 

He found immense fulfillment serving as assistant pastor at Praise Chapel in Yuba City, CA. 

He volunteered his time freely and joyfully. Having enjoyed track and field as a high school athlete, he coached youth from Beale AFB and helped put on the ARCO Jesse Owens Games Sutter Buttes District Championships for several years. 

He also volunteered at the Samaritan Village, the Casa de Esperanza, and the Yuba City Food Bank for over 40 years combined.

Always an advocate for the care of veterans and their families, he was honored to be a Hospice Chaplain Volunteer with the Sutter Care at Home, Yuba City Hospice team for over 10 years.

Dan leaves his loving wife, of 54 years, Mary; his daughter, Diedra Jones; sons, Kenneth and Kevin Shields; daughter-in-law, Angie Shields; son-in-law, Erik Jones; brother, Terry Shields; and three grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Mila, Dylan, and Lauren. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Iris Shields; father, Rupert Shields; aunt, Ivy Ratcliff; aunt, Winnie Nation; and uncle, Ted Ratcliff. 

Dan humbly personified God's love. His reliable rock-steady presence, endless kindness, playful humor, and unfiltered love will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his family and friends. 

A Memorial Celebration for Daniel Shields will be held at 11 AM, on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Ullrey Memorial Chapel in Yuba City, CA. A private inurnment will be held for the family following the memorial.