Folks Of Interest RIP ... "DJ" Pimentel

Daniel Joseph "DJ" Pimentel
January 6,1937 - September 15, 2019​

 

RIP. Condolences to the family and friends.

 

"DJ" was a longtime family friend and fellow Hot Rodder ... I met Danny in the '70s when he joined our car club (Nor Cal Early Iron).

Here's an article (by Gary Meadors & my father) that appeared in the May 1978 issue of RodAction magazine:

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... and my father's photos of the finished car:

image from page 10 of the 1979 NSRA Western Street Rod Nationals - Merced event program


Sonora, Ca - March 1980​

 

In 1988 & 1989, Danny & I "crewed" on the Dennis Sapp ~ Chuck Salmen #127 J/Gas Streamliner:

Speed Week '88: Danny (red ball cap) talking to starter Bob Higbee


Speed Week '88: Danny (holding helmet), Bill (with parachute) & I (talking to driver Denny Sapp)


Speed Week '89: Danny wrenching on the Sapp~Salmen #127 "Touch of Glass" J/GS​

 

Daniel J. Pimentel
Jan 6,1937 - Sep 15, 2019
Concord, CA

Daniel Joseph (DJ) Pimentel, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 82.

Dan graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1955. Dan married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Sharon and enjoyed 64 years of marriage.

Dan worked at Pacific Bell for 28 years, retired then started DJ's Auto Works doing metal fabrication for street rods – following his lifelong passion of working on and building cars.

DJ was a friend to many, well known in the community, and never met a stranger. A great family man, always including the family in car-related activities from dune buggies to street rods.

DJ (Pops) was a father and grandfather to many of Kathy & David's friends (and their children), as he and Sharon showed them an open heart and home, friendship, laughter, and guidance, with a special mention of Steve, Jan & Nicholas Bublitz and Colleen, Anthony, Gia, Ella & Bella Zafarana.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Ann Pimentel and sister JoAnn Wilson. Dan leaves behind his wife Sharon, daughter Kathy Elder (Jim), son David Pimentel (Teri), and grandchildren Danielle & Garrett Jackman, Courtney (Elder) Mullins, Bre Elder, Anne & Daniel Pimentel, CJ & Megan Ratzsch.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
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Condolences to all..Great guy

 

Rest Well, Hot Rodder.

 

I have no idea what became Danny's chopped Deuce 5wd Coupe:

Dan & Sharon with their Deuce Coupe at Merced '79​

... but the body of the Sapp~Salmen #127 "Touch of Glass" J/GS ended up with Matt @seret & @KIRK! Jones:

more pics & info HERE​

... and another one of Danny's (semi-HAMB-friendly) projects can be seen at Disneyland:

under construction at DJs Auto Works




at Disneyland​

 

Condolences to the Pimentil Family and Friends on the the passing of Daniel...RIP Hotrodder...

That's pretty close to home for you @HEMI32...I can imagine the Heavy Heart...

Thanks for sharing this loss to the Community...and sharing some of his Legacy with Us as you do so well...

Regards, Stogy
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Here's a pic of Danny with the (phantom) Deuce Phaeton he built for Ed Burgess:

image by Edward H Burgess​

 

Rest in Peace

 

Here's an early '90s photo of Danny (in "cut off shorts" ) at Bonneville ... "hard at work" in the Salmen Racing #734 $um Fun Roadster pits:

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Danny in the '50s:

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Looking through some '90s photo albums tonight ... and came across this photo of Danny (& wife Sharon) with their '32 (Extended Cab) Pickup at the "Northern California Deuce Day" held September 17th 1995 in Novato, CA:

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RIP Sharon ... RIP Danny