Dan was born in Hollister, CA to Manuel and Mary Avilla and has lived in Stevinson, CA since 1934.  Attended Merquin Elementary and Hilmar High School.  Served in the US Army from1945-46 at Camp Beale AFB base near Marysville, CA.  Shortly after returning home from service he met his future wife Lula Garvin. Dan is survived by his wife of 65 years Lula (Garvin) Avilla.  Also surviving are four sons, Randy (Suzie), Rodney (Norma), Roger and Russ.  They have six grandsons, Travis, Jim, Ross, Bob, Trent, and Taylor. Four granddaughters, Corinne, Kelly, Becky, and Leslie.  Six great-grandsons, Tyler, Adrian, Eli, Alex, Levi, and Tyge. Dan was preceded in death by 7 brothers and 5 sisters.  Surviving sisters are Gertie Silveira of Stevinson, CA, and Jessie (Dolly) Silveira of Merced, CA. Dan worked at Carnation Can Plant, Gustine for 34 years and Silgan’s in Stockton for 4 years before retiring in 1989.  Dan played guitar in the Gulart Brothers band for several years.  He also composed music and wrote songs.  He loved photography and won several contests while working at Carnation Can Plant. Dan was a volunteer fireman for the Stevinson Fire Department for several years.  He belonged to the American Legion Stevinson Post and later to the Turlock Post.  He was also a Hilmar Boosters Club member and office holder.  He was a coach and summer baseball leader.  He loved to ride his motorcycle and go on Poker runs.  Dan loved to hunt (gun and bow) and all types of fishing.  For several years he had a houseboat at Lake McClure, but most of all he loved to play his guitar and sing when his family got together at his oldest brother’s house to honor a brother or sister with a party.  He also wrote a song for them. In the 1950’s he ran a card room and pool hall in Stevinson, and also ran a feed store with his brother Stan.  Dan and his wife loved to dance and followed a band for over a decade called Shades of Country; he was occasionally invited to sit in with them. “Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the charity of donor’s choice” Viewing will be at Allen Mortuary on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 from 3:00-7:00p.m.  Funeral at Allen Mortuary on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 10:00a.m. with burial to follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Stevinson.  Please share your memories at www.allenmortuary.com.