Daniel Fuentes

Daniel De Luna Fuentes, age 70, of Firth, Idaho, was welcomed back home with open arms to his Heavenly Father on the warm summer day of June 6th, 2026.

Daniel was born on February 29th, 1956, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico to Ignacio C. Fuentes and Josefina De Luna Fuentes. From there, he and his family moved to Uvalde, Texas, Wyoming, and later settled in the small town of Shelley, Idaho. Later in life, Daniel received his GED and served in the Army as a Combat Engineer. He was a Veteran and was proud to have served his country. He also had an associate’s degree in applied science. Further in life, he met Alicia Nevarez and gained three bonus children in this union, helping raise Lorena, Crystal, and Heriberto Dominguez. Together, they welcomed their daughter, Marisol Fuentes. Even though later in life, Daniel and Alicia separated, they always stayed best friends until the very end. Always enjoying a cup of coffee together, and spending time in the garden. Daniel later remarried Renae Bruun, and was a bonus dad to Melissa & Alexis Miller, and together they welcomed Danielle & Alexander Fuentes. He was most proud of his children; nothing brought him more joy than being with all of them and taking them on family vacations to travel and explore new places. He was a faithful servant of the Lord and attended the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Jesus Christ in Blackfoot, Idaho.

To know Daniel was to love him. He always wore his heart on his sleeve and was so selfless, often doing small acts of service for those around him. He had an infectious laugh and personality and was always someone you could count on. He was a lover of good movies, and was frequently outside watering his lawn and garden, he loved being outside in the sunshine. He always enjoyed a good cup of coffee and a side stack of pancakes to satisfy his sweet tooth. He loved to take his family out to breakfast frequently to talk politics, life, and share a laugh over some memories. He played guitar and was even a part of his Church’s Band growing up alongside his siblings.

He was an avid reader and writer, often studying medical journals, the Bible, or star charts and documenting his findings, he was a fountain of knowledge and loved to share that knowledge along the way. Daniel loved being outdoors and taking nature walks whenever he had the chance. He loved fishing and being on the river. Daniel found great peace wandering through Yellowstone, wrapped in the vastness of the mountains he loved so deeply, and those moments among the peaks will forever be a cherished part of his spirit.

He frequently snapped pictures of his family, friends, and surroundings, always to have, “just because.” Every time he took out his kids, whether it was out to eat or on an adventure, he would make them huddle together and snap a memory to cherish forever. Along his journey around the sun, he became a grandfather of 3 and often shared deep belly laughs and endless smiles with his grandchildren. He was a loved and cherished grandfather, and they were always eager to go visit Grandpa Daniel. His selflessness, exemplified through the countless quiet acts of service he offered without ever expecting anything in return, is one of the most significant parts of him that will be missed deeply.

Daniel is survived by his children, Marisol Nevarez Fuentes of Idaho Falls, ID., Danielle Lynn Fuentes of Boise, ID., and Alexander Cristian Fuentes of Hamilton, OH. Grandchildren; Melanie, Misael, and Marcos Aguiar. His siblings, Tomasa Ley of Worland, WY., Minerva Bravo of Wisconsin, Alma Balboa of Crystal City, TX., Irma Fuentes of Idaho Falls, ID., Hilda Rico of Shelley, ID., Margarita (Gerardo) Rico of Shelley, ID., Domingo (Andrea) Fuentes of Eagle Pass, TX., and Alberto (Christine) Fuentes of Uvalde, TX.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ignacio & Josefina Fuentes, and his siblings Ignacio Jr. Fuentes (Nacho), Gustavo Fuentes, Maricela Fuentes, Alejandro Fuentes, and Rolando Fuentes.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2026 at Nalder Funeral Home 110 West Oak Street in Shelley. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. and Monday morning from 10:00 a.m. till 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. The family invites anyone who loves Daniel to stop by and share a laugh, a smile, and a story so his spirit can live amongst us. Burial will be in the Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with Military Rites.

Dad, we hope your reunion with the Lord was as joyous and righteous as your spirit always deserved. The time we had with you will never feel like enough, but we are endlessly grateful for every moment, every lesson, and every bit of love you poured into us. Thank you for being the best father we could have ever imagined. We praise God for wrapping you tightly into his arms with a love deeper than anything on this earth, and we will hold onto the promise that one day we will all be reunited with you again. Until then, we will carry you in everything we do and continue your legacy in the small and impactful acts of service you always did, leading in kindness and example, and always stopping to snap a picture, no matter how insignificant it may seem in that moment because I know one day we will look back and cherish it, “just because.”

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