Born in Mesquite, Texas to Marc and Lynda Unger on March 21, 1985. He was killed in action in Iraq on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at the age of 19.
Daniel moved to Exeter with his family at the age of 3 and grew up in Exeter where he received a Christian home schooling through the eighth grade.
He went on to EUHS where he played centerfield for four years on the Exeter Monarch baseball team. He graduated in June of 2003. With the help of his father, Daniel started Karate at age five and became a Junior Black Belt in 1996 learning from his dad and Grand Master Sam Price. Daniel was promoted to Fourth Degree Black Belt in December 2003.
Daniel loved to play bass in the Exeter Baptist Church worship band. Daniel received his license as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ in October 2002. Along with his Dad, Daniel was a frequent platform guest with Champions for Life (formerly, Bill Glass Evangelistic Association).
Daniel participated in many Weekend of Champions prison ministries doing incredible Karate demonstrations and sharing his faith in Jesus Christ. Literally hundreds of inmates' lives were changed as they received Jesus Christ through Daniel's faithful witness.
Daniel preached an average of once a month over the last two years and ministered at: Visalia and Caruthers Juvenile Boot camps, Fresno Juvenile Hall, Valley Teen Ranch, Santa Rita Jail as well as Kansas prisons in Larned, Wichita and El Dorado. He loved his country and gave his life for the benefit of us all. He is survived by his parents, Marc and Lynda Unger of Exeter; brothers, Marc Lawrence Unger II, 32, of Downingtown, Penn., David Philip Unger, 17, of Exeter; sisters, Elizabeth May Unger, 13, and Anna Leigh Unger, 11, both of Exeter; grandparents, Murray and Gloria Unger of Flint, Mich. and Edward E. Rapps of Chickasha, Okla.
Funeral service was held June 4 at the EUHS Football Stadium followed by full military honors at the Exeter District Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Daniel Unger Memorial Fund, c/o Bank of the Sierra account number 464263430, 1103 West Visalia Road, Exeter, CA 93221, (888) 454-2265.
Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilychapel.com. Arrangements were under the direction of Smith Family Chapel of Exeter.
