During the super bowl, I received word that we lost my dear friend, Dan Mabery. Today we had his memorial service.

Dan had a brilliant mind and a kind heart. He graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Dallas, Baylor, Dallas Theological Seminary and St. Mary’s University School of Law. He’s the only guy I know that went to both seminary and law school. He practiced law at Haynes and Boone and more recently on his own.

We worshiped together for years and also enjoyed camping together. We each had daughters in the same YMCA Indian Princess tribes, known now as Adventure Guides. Amazing the lifelong bonds that form around the campfire where dreams are shared and friendships birthed.

We both had great blessings in life but also each faced train wrecks. We were always there to encourage each other not just in the good times but perhaps even more importantly, in those dark, tragic moments when you feel so alone. You know, the kind where the day before you have a multitude of friends and after the train wreck the darkness and pain reveal your true friends; they become our chosen brothers and part of the family. The ones you love and would do anything for. The ones you cry the most for when they are gone. Today I cried once again as family and friends gathered to celebrate his life and say goodbye…

Dan’s favorite verse was: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13.

In his youth Dan was a fearless urban snake wrangler when Dallas was a bit wilder. He often made good money rounding up snakes out of ponds where the local elite played golf. He played guitar and was a gifted bible teacher with near perfect memory. His marked up, star coded, underlined bible was legendary in our circle of friends. He was a tremendous storyteller. We all enjoyed hearing about his youthful encounters with family friend and mentor, Coach Landry or sneaking into fellow Eagle Scout Ross Perot’s backyard to play as a kid, and briefly working for him later in life.

Dan was a spiritual leader and friend to many. At his memorial it was said his superpower was his vocabulary. Regardless of the situation you faced, he could quote the popular to obscure Bible verses and often spun in his favorite C. S. Lewis quotes for good measure. He could quote them all.

For years I was fortunate to be in the same home bible study with Dan. He was from one of those families often referred to as pillars of the community. You know, the kind we all wish we were from but in reality the overachieving greatness is hard to live up to for the kids born to rock star parents… In my youth I was in Christian radio and crossed paths with many of the pillars in the Christian community. Dan was from one of the most noteworthy…

Dan’s father was Dr. Trevor Mabery. He was a highly respected ENT surgeon and founded the Dallas Ear Institute. Dan was Texan to the core but he was born in Minnesota because at the time in 1964, his dad was at the famous Mayo Clinic. Dr. Mabery was said to have performed nearly half of his surgeries for free. Dr. Mabery was on the board of James Dobson’s Focus on the Family ministries and perished in an aircraft crash in 1987 along with other board members in Montana. Dan’s mom was Lucy Mabrey-Foster, PhD. She was an author, Christian counselor and the first female professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. She also taught, “Through the Bible” at the Moody Bible Institute for more than 20 years. His parents were early members of Northwest Bible Church.

Dan and I lost both of our parents early so we shared that grief together; it made our friendship stronger. Dan loved the outdoors and always encouraged me to focus on my passion for nature photography. He loved my bird in flight images and while somewhat embarrassed by the attention, I was honored that he had one of my charity auction gallery prints on display in a prominent spot in his home.

I captured this image of an American Wigeon Drake in Flight during the winter storm shortly after Dan passed. There is nothing in my own life that will ever match up to what Dan meant to me, but it’s all I’ve got to offer, so I’m dedicating this image to the memory of my friend, Daniel Trevor Mabery.

Please pray for peace and comfort for his wonderful daughters, loved ones, friends and family. Godspeed Brother Dan. Thanks for being a true friend…

RIP, Dan.

Sorry for your loss

RIP Dan . . . . . I'm sorry for your loss . . . . .

Very nice tribute.

Rip Dan.

God Bless your friend. That was a beautiful memory of him. Prayers sent to family and friends.

Very nice tribute

That's a great tribute to your friend. So sorry for your loss.

Great tribute, your friend should be proud. RIP

sorry for your loss....great picture,thanks for sharing...

Awesome tribute to your friend blue moon. Rest in eternal peace Mr. Mabery.

what a tribute !!!

That picture is amazing Blue Moon. Thanks for sharing and sorry for the loss of your friend.