Mr. Daniel Leonard Ozark

DANIEL LEONARD OZARK

Mr. Daniel Leonard Ozark, 85, died May 7, 2009 at his residence.

He was born November 26, 1923 in Buffalo, New York where he attended school and was awarded a college scholarship for basketball, which he turned down to play baseball.

Soon afterward, he was drafted by the United States Army. Daniel was awarded the Purple Heart while being wounded at Normandy Beach.

He was retired, with his beloved wife of 60 years, Virginia, after being a professional baseball manager for the Philadelphia Phillies, from 1973 thru 1979; manager and coach of the San Francisco Giants and spending 33 years as a coach and minor league player and manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He began his baseball career in 1943 after signing with the Dodgers.

Danny was named manager of the year in 1976, one of baseballs most prestigious awards.

Danny was loved by all, a devout Catholic, husband and father, veteran, and had the pleasure of raising 25 “kids” every year with his involvement in baseball. Danny was often seen with his golf buddies on the local and national links.

Danny was a member of St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach.

He was always respected and admired by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Virginia; his brother, Norwood and his wife, Theresa; his son, Dwain and daughter-in-law, Kathy, their two children; daughters, Dr. Shelly Ozark and her fiancee David Ptak and Faith Lang, her husband, Eric, and their two children, great grandchildren, Emma and Christopher; daughter, Darlene Ozark; granddaughter, Kelly Cottrell and her husband Chris; great grandchildren, Daniel and Nathan Cottrell.

He will be loved and missed by all.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Danny Ozark.

SERVICES: Visitation will be 6-8 pm on Monday, May 11, 2009 at St. Helen Catholic Church with a Prayer Service being held at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12:00 noon on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at St. Helen Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Ft. Pierce, FL.

Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory Vero Beach, FL.