Danie “Dan” Corrales

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https://vimeo.com/event/4061092

What can be said about a man that was larger than life? To write a complete obituary for Jesus Danie Corrales, one would need an endless supply of paper and ink. Dan Corrales was above all, a steward of humanity. If we were blessed with eternal life, we could not have lived a fuller life than Dan in his short 45 years and yet, he had so much life left to live, and love left to give. In the days since his passing, countless articles and news stories have told the story of a man that was an elected official, prosecutor, soldier, pilot, world traveler, thespian, volunteer, and caregiver. The truth is, everything you’ve read and heard, were just a small part of a man that blessed humanity his whole life simply by being among us.

He was, first and foremost, a devoted family man. He was a son, brother, father, uncle, nephew, cousin, and husband. If you believe he excelled in public service, you cannot possibly comprehend the heights he reached for family. The real measure of a man is not what he says, it is what he does. Dan was the type of man who would give the shirt off his back for his fellow man, whether he knew you or not, whether he was related to you or not, whether he agreed with you or not.

Born in Brooklyn, NY to Marlene Mazon and Jesse Corrales, from day one, his parents knew their son carried within him a light that burned bright. His mother knew from a young age that her son was blessed with compassion for all those around him and all those who knew Dan, know that he cared for everyone. His father Jesse Corrales was a native Midlander and true to the saying, like father like son, as Dan grew older his roots called to him so loudly that he gave up big city living for Midland, Texas.

He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandmother who served as the first Hispanic on the Midland City Council decades before the Corrales name would appear on the ballot again. To have known Dan, is to have known a boundless enthusiasm for life, family, friendship, and debate. From the day he was born, Dan was a fighter. Dan fought against all odds to succeed wherever he was. He graduated from Midland High School, attended college and law school in New York, continued his post-graduate work to obtain a Master of Laws degree and immediately passed the New York Bar with little effort a decade before taking the Texas Bar Exam.

Before returning to Midland and following 9/11, Dan enlisted in the United States Army and later returned to New York to attend graduate school and serve as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn and Manhattan. To say that Dan Corrales had lived a full life by the time he was 30 would be a gross understatement. But he didn’t stop there.  Following his military service, Dan backpacked through South America, beginning in Ecuador where his mother was born and culminating in Argentina, where his stepfather was from. He had a thirst for knowledge and a fearless desire to confront the unknown. So much so, that Dan decided it was time to go back to Texas and said goodbye to his first two loves and his two best friends, Gabriela Maria and Mary Ellen, his baby sisters.

When Dan was living life to the fullest in New York City, his younger sisters had front row seats to greatness. They watched and learned from their big brother like children watching the miracle of a rainbow. Dan loved his sisters, he challenged them, he respected them, he protected them, and he was always supporting them until the very end. Dan leaves behind his wife, Michelle, his loving mother Marlene Mazon, his adoring stepfather Victor Trabazo, his beloved sisters Gabriela Maria and Mary Ellen, his niece Arianna, his nephew Lucas, his niece Austin and his stepson Elijah. His father Jesse Corrales pre-deceased him, but his love and respect for the Corrales family of Midland endured his entire life. God Bless you Danie and may you live in our hearts, forever.

A viewing will be held from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 with a rosary being recited at 7:00pm at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will begin at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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