1928-1956
Daniel Priddy, son of Godfrey and Opal Priddy, nationally known sheep breeders, was born at Butte, Montana. At the age of ten he joined the 4-H sheep program. Starting with two Southdown ewes selected by his father, he rapidly developed an excellent Southdown flock. His lambs were often in the championship competition at the Oregon State Fair and Pacific International Livestock Exposition.
When his family moved to Dixon, California, in 1944, Dan enrolled in the Future Farmers of America program at Dixon High School. In addition to his Southdown sheep, his projects included Duroc-Jersey swine and Suffolk sheep. While in the FFA program Dan showed at many fairs, including the Dixon May Fair, California State Fair, Great Western Livestock Show, Los Angeles County Fair, and Grand National Livestock Show. At the Cow Palace, he had the honor of showing a Grand Champion FFA fat lamb. He also competed on the FFA judging team at the Cow Palace.
After graduation from Dixon High School in 1947, Dan spent a year at the University of California at Davis as an Animal Husbandry major in the two-year program. During his years in school he was active in sports and had a large circle of friends.
Dan was associated with his family in the Dixon area. He served as treasurer of the Solano County Wool Growers Association and was a well-known figure at sheepmen's events. He and his wife, Patricia, had three sons.
One of the civic duties Dan undertook was volunteer for the Dixon Fire Department. It was in this role that he met his death by accident on September 30, 1956.