Obituary of Daniel Vukajlovich

Daniel Dusan Vukajlovich was born in Jackson, Ca. on April 10, 1917 to Dusan and Ljubica Vukajlovich. At the young age of nine years he and his sisters and brother were orphaned and moved to Detroit, Michigan to live with their uncle and later to Thornton, Illinois. He had told the story of selling newspapers to Al Capone while living in Chicago. Being the strong-willed individual that he was, at the age of twelve his determination to move back to Jackson and live with his Godfather, Vaso Pasalich, was made a reality along with his brother where he continued his schooling and graduated from Jackson High School in 1935. Dan married the love of his life, Florence Clifton on July 5, 1940 in Fallon, Nevada and together they had three children, Donna (Dennis) Davis, Carol Woolsey and Robert (Jade) Vukajlovich. Dan worked for many years for Old Home Bakery in Sacramento, Ca. before moving back to Jackson where he eventually bought the R and R Club on Main Street in 1954 which became the Wells Fargo Club. He was joined by Jim Smallfield in 1955 and together they operated the business for some forty years along with Suraci's Italian Restaurant during the late 1960's and 1970's. Dan was a charter member of the Jackson Quarterback Club for Jackson High School, life member of the Jackson Lion's Club, a member of the Elks Lodge, Native Sons of the Golden West and the Kit Carson Mountain Men, where he was "Kit Carson" in 1958. He was honored as Amador County Citizen of the Year and "roasted" by the Amador County Soroptomist Club in 1987. Dan was host of innumerable functions, golf tournaments, banquets and other events supporting local schools, businesses and his Church, touching the lives of Amador County residents of all ages. Dan had great pride for his community, his Church and heritage, family and friends and spent his life doing for others, making his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren feel special and honored. This love for his family made him shine the brightest. Dan was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Florence, sisters, Sophia Rivard, Doris Vujovich and brother, William Vukajlovich. He is survived by his loving children, grandchildren, Alicia Donati of Hollister, Ca., Mitchell Davis of Montana, Nicole (David) Armstrong and Kristin (Jeff) Himmelmann of Jackson, Ca. and Ariana Vukajlovich of Orangevale, Ca. Also surivied by seven loving great-grandchildren, Dustin and Lauren Armstrong, Sadie and Tess Himmelmann of Jackson, Ca. and Francesca, Isabella and Daniella Donati of Hollister, Ca. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010 followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Daneri Mortuary Chapel in Jackson. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 724 North Main St., Jackson, Ca. with a reception to follow at St. Sava Mission, 604 Broadway, Jackson, Ca. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 1243, Jackson, Ca. or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered via e-mail to the family at danerimortuary@sbcglobal.net.