Daniel Paul Desalvo

Daniel Paul DeSalvo, 42, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on March 22, 2023, at his home.

Dan was born on August 6, 1980, to Frank and Janice (Daniel) DeSalvo.

Dan was a licensed insurance agent and was employed by GEICO Insurance at the time of his death. He had worked for other area companies in various sales, customer, and agent support positions.

Dan attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Texas before moving to Overland Park and transferring to the University of Kansas (KU). Dan graduated from KU with his bachelor's degree in 2003.

Dan was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He joined the BSA as a Tiger Cub, and progressed to WEBELOS, where he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and graduated to the Boy Scouts. As a Scout, Dan spent many weekends camping at Camp Dale Resler near Cloudcroft, New Mexico. He also attended summer camp and training programs at the camp. After graduating from Scouts, he and other Eagle Scouts attending KU were called upon to support the scouting program in lower income areas in Lawrence, Kansas, as well as support the local cub scout camps during the summer.

Dan pursued several hobbies during his life, including ceramics and pottery, wood carving, and making jewelry. As a teen, Dan took summer enrichment courses at UTEP, including a class to build a hot-air balloon. The final class included a hot-air balloon ride.
Dan enjoyed playing cards, especially Magic and played in many tournaments. He also enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons, and most of all, hanging out with friends, either to play board games or watch movies.

Dan was loyal to his family and friends. Often, he lent a hand to support and encourage them during rough times and celebrate their successes. He looked for ways to help others, and he supported several creative projects through the Kickstarter program, hoping to help someone launch their dream.

Dan remained a bachelor; however, he had two loyal females through his teens and adulthood: his dogs, Coco and Sassy. He lost Coco in 2008 and mourned her loss the rest of his life. In 2011, he met Sassy during an adoption day at a pet store. He explained Sassy bumped other dogs in the pen out of the way to stare up at him, and he was hooked.

He was preceded in death by his father, his paternal grandparents, his maternal grandparents, and a maternal uncle David.

Dan is survived by his loving mother, Janice, paternal uncles Dominick, John, and Robert, paternal aunts Elaine and Cynthia, maternal uncle Michael, and maternal aunt Patricia, and an adopted aunt Lugene, as well as numerous cousins, a half-brother Jason, an abundance of friends, and Sassy.

Visitation will be held Saturday April 8, 2023, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, Olathe, Kansas. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to Wayside Waifs, the ASPCA, or Coats for Kids.

Daniel's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.

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