Daniel A. Amidon, December 13, 1961 (Elgin) - December 14, 2021 (Rockford)

Dan, DJ Dan, Danny, Danny Boy, Daniel-son, Dan the Man, Daniel Boone, Pa

Dan was an avid outdoorsman that loved 4-wheelers, jet skis, snowmobiles, ice fishing with The Rhinos, cutting down trees and much more, his biggest impact was at the campground.  At the campground you could find Dan driving around in the little blue truck with Ron, sneaking a toke behind the garbage can or hanging out down by the pond.  Dan owned and managed Emerald Acres Campground for 12 years with his beloved wife, Deb, and two of his best friends, Ron and Marge.  There he made lifelong, lasting friendships (or as he'd tell you- "my family") with more people than we could ever list.  He was loved and known by everyone as a hard worker, difficult to anger, a thinker and a doer, talkative with a little liquor, an overall "good guy" and whether you understood him or not, you liked him.  Dan rarely met a stranger, always had time to lend a hand, loved to make kids feel special and more than anything loved music.  Music and the influence of Billy, allowed him to become DJ Dan.  Dan loved being the DJ for the kids and allowing everyone to have a good time; his favorite music was Rock and Roll, but he would occasionally listen to Mariah Carey just for Moe.  Just when you thought you were having a conversation with Dan he'd say, "what's that?" and you'd soon realize he had his earpiece in and was not listening to you at all, he was listening to Rock and Roll!  Throughout Dan's lifetime, he had many dogs, and he is survived by his two beloved, best friend-huskies: Bubba and Kira.  Dan enjoyed drinking Old Style and especially loved Taco Tuesdays washed down with a pitcher of margaritas.  Dan was known to enjoy and savor every bite of his food; he was one of the slowest eaters.

Dan was married to Deborah Amidon on May 25, 2003.  They met while working at Aubrey Manufacturing in Union, where they made many friends.  They later moved to Rockford, IL.  They spent every moment together and for many years they continued to work together at different places, and they were always together at EAC.  Dan would always call Deb his "Baby."  They both shared a love for The Bears, Rock and Roll music, eating out, family, friends, camping and their grandbabies.  Dan loved spending time with Maddie and Bro: taking them for jeep rides to the campground, searching eBay for the latest toy Bro wanted, sharing a steak with Maddie or meeting Moe somewhere, in the middle of the night, because she was getting called into work. Dan cherished his grandkids: The "Meat-a-saurus" and Broski.

Dan is survived by: Deborah Amidon (wife), Taylor Amidon (son), Melissa Hollar (daughter), Maddie and John Hollar (grandchildren), Alice Aumiller (mother), Tom and Doug Amidon (brothers).  This list is just naming a few and there are so many more that loved and cherished Dan.  We can only imagine that Dan is rocking out in the streets of heaven with his father, Claire, whom Dan adored, and his baby sister, Brooke.

If you were to ask a grieving person what they'd wish for, if they had one wish, most would say… "I'd wish for one more day."  Dan will forever be known to have given his "Baby" one more day.  Until we meet again, "See ya later Pa!"

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday January 8, 2022 @ 1pm, at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel *Lower Level, 608 S. Park Blvd in Freeport, IL.