Daniel James Colvin
courtesy photo
Daniel Colvin
POLSON – Daniel James Colvin (Danny), 43, was placed into the loving arms of God on Jan. 1, 2015. Dan was born Feb. 13, 1971 in Helena, Montana to David A. Colvin and Elaine B. Siewert Colvin.
Dan graduated from Park High, Livingston in 1989. He joined the Coast Guard, spent most of his four years on the USCGC Cuttyhunk (WPB 1322), Port Angeles, Washington. Dan received this citation: “For exceptionally meritorious service from 16 April 1991 to 1 June 1992 while engaged in operations from Port Angeles, Wa. to Rodman Station, Panama. Cuttyhunk was the lead cutter for Operation Close Ties, a joint operation with Costa Rica and operation Panamerica ’91 in Panama. With only three weeks notice, Cuttyhunk sailed on time and superbly met all commitments for both operations. Crewmembers made vital repairs to local ships and conducted invaluable shoreside training sessions in law enforcement, small boat handling, seamanship, engineering and small arms. Cuttyhunk’s efforts laid the groundwork for the success of the balance of the operation. During this deployment, alert crewmembers recovered two bales of cocaine, totaling 32 kilograms, from the water and turned them over to Costa Rican authorities. When the Panamanian Motor Vessel San Antonio sank with 45 persons on board, Cuttyhunk acted as on-scene commander, coordinating the search efforts of three U.A. aircraft and a Panamanian helicopter. Cuttyhunk’s exceptional performance resulted in the rescue of 42 survivors. Upon her return, Cuttyhunk acted as an invaluable safety and law enforcement presence during the annual Seafair celebration in Seattle. During this period, Cuttyhunk logged an impressive 168 days away from homeport or in a high state of readiness status. The teamwork, professionalism and dedicated service of the personnel serving in the Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the USCG.”
After his enlistment, Dan was caretaker for a lodge in Gull Cove, Alaska, for about two years. From there he was at Elfin Cove in charge of the ice barge, taking fish catches in from fishermen’s boats, paying fishermen and supplying ice to the fishermen for their next catch.
Next Dan went to work for Harley Marine Services (Olympic Tug and Barge Seattle, Washington) as an engineer (merchant marine.) Dan served aboard the following vessels: CF Campbell, length 100.2 feet, Millenium Star, length 99 feet, Pacific Falcon, 121.1 feet. These vessels operate on the U.S. West Coast between Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Los Angeles, California, including therein Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia and on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
Dan was a simple kind of guy. He loved Alaska, fishing, hunting and his fruit trees. He also loved his solitude and a good laughing joke. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include: daughter Sarah E. Colvin, Ontario, Canada; mother Elaine B. Colvin, Helena; three sisters Kellie A. Blevins (Wayne), Charlo, Kris K. Griffiths, Charlo, Kim M. Colvin, Belgrade; one brother David A. Colvin Jr., Great Falls; two nephews Justin and Latham Blevins; three nieces Chantel Griffiths, Kelsie Blevins, Joe Lynn Colvin; lots of aunts, uncle and cousins. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
