Daniel Basham's journey through this life began on December 28, 1989. He was born to Joe Basham (Brandy Stringer Basham) and Sheela Gast (fiancAC. Tom Ricer) and became brother to Joshua Basham and Shawna Logan (Steve). He was welcomed as grandson to Omar and Shirley Gast of South Webster, Dorothy Basham and the late Frank Basham, also of South Webster. His family relationships were so important to him. He loved his nephew Ty Logan and niece Taylan Logan. He cherished his Aunt Shelly Ing, Uncle John Ing and cousins Mitchel and Alex Ing; Aunt Linda Crabtree, Uncle Greg Crabtree, and cousins Lora Maynard and Lisa Holbrook; Uncle John Basham and Aunt Patti Basham, and his cousins Jeremy Basham and Stacy Hornikel; Uncle Rick Basham and cousins Brandon and Christina Basham; Uncle Paul Basham and cousins Jesse and Morgan Basham. Many of Daniel's friends became just like family to him, especially Drew Billingsley. They were more like brothers than friends. The journey continued as Daniel grew up in South Webster, involved in Clover Buddies, 4-H and Cub Scouts. His love of sports, though, soon found him involved in Biddy Basketball, Little League and soccer. He was always "the concession stand kid" while he waited to grow up enough to actually step on the field with the big guys. That opportunity came, and he was active on the basketball team, the baseball team, and the soccer teama"not the star, necessarily, but the one who kept the team spirit going, encouraging his teammates, always cheering them on, and stepping up when he was needed. Daniel shared his talents with a traveling baseball team in 2003 and 2004. He even participated in the USSSA World Series in Broken Arrow, OK. And the road through life continued. Daniel surprised quite a few people when the school performed the musical Beauty and the Beast. He was absolutely perfect in the role of Gaston, and he delighted cast, crew and audience as he romped across the stage, singing and dancing. He appreciated Mrs. Climer so much as his music teacher, and he truly lived up to her confidence in him as a performer. Always happiest when he could make those around him happy, his smile on that stage lives on even now in so many people's memories. The next milestone in Daniel's journey saw him graduate from high school in 2008. His last two years in high school were a little rocky at times, but Daniel knew he could rely on people like his principal, Robert Johnson, to listen and to offer advice. Later on, Daniel would share with his mother how much that meant to him. After graduating, it took two years, but he decided that the best way to honor the love of family and friends and his love of his country was to enlist in the U.S. Army. He graduated boot camp in 2010 and then served 29 months at Camp Casey in South Korea. From the many posts on his Face Book page after his untimely death, it is clear that he continued along the same path of love and loyalty to friends. His strong need to protect found its expression in his service in the Army. His military service ended in 2013, and he decided his voyage through life would continue in Long Beach, CA. So much of life still lay ahead of him, and he wanted to see as much of it as he could. The ties of friendship soon called him to Mesa, AZ, however, as he moved in with an Army buddy. And it was there, on November 16, that Daniel's journey through this life ended. A heart that had held so much love for family and friends, that had urged him to give his all on the field of sports, the musical stage, and then to serving his country, finally faltered, and Daniel slipped from this life to travel on in the next. He has gone ahead to claim his reward in Heaven for his life of protecting those he loved. Those who are left behind to journey on can rest assured they have a guardian angel, ever loyal, ever faithful, who waits with God to meet as family again. Funeral Services will be Monday Nov. 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm at D. W. SWICK FUNERAL HOME IN SOUTH WEBSTER with Pastors Kenneth Martin and Mark Bales officiating. Interment will follow at South Webster Cemetery with military honors by James Dickey Post 23, American Legion. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the South Webster High School Gym and Monday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at D. W. Swick Funeral Home in South Webster. Condolences to dwswickfuneralhome.com.