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Daniel Dean Biagi Shoats, 49, and Ellen Jeanne Schippers Shoats, 48, died Saturday, October 1, 2005 in an automobile accident. They were childhood sweethearts. Both graduated from West Mesa High School, Danny in 1974 and Ellen in 1975. They were married in 1977. Shortly thereafter, Daniel and Ellen moved to Roswell, NM where Danny studied to be an aircraft mechanic. Both his father, Dan Shoats and father-in-law, Norm Schippers had worked in the airline industry. Then Danny and Ellen moved back to Albuquerque, NM where Danny worked at Cutter Airport for a few years. Again, following in his father's footsteps, Danny was drawn to the construction business and it would become his life's passion. Dan Shoats, Sr., deceased since 1967, was a well-known Albuquerque contractor. Danny was most happy with a hammer and a fresh sawn board. The young couple eventually formed their own construction company, Dan Shoats Construction. Ellen kept the books and worked at Sunwest Bank. In 1983, they had their first child, Leah, followed by Russell in 1985 and Dominic in 1988. Their life revolved around their children. Danny was teaching them to catch, throw, kick a ball, fish and tend to animals when they were still in diapers. At Alameda Elementary School Ellen was so active in the kids' education that she was often mistaken for the principal. It was rare to see them apart. It was always Danny, Ellen and the kids. They had a passion for the outdoors and bought land in Chama, NM where they would go with regularity to camp and fish. Danny was an avid fisherman, nothing gave him more peace than to spend the day fly or cast fishing at the Chama River. Like his father, the best part was baiting and re-baiting hooks for his children. They always had a small herd of cattle that they often had to chase down Fourth St. When the children were older, Ellen began working at Intel where she continued to work until present. She worked the night shift, would come home, bake cookies, go volunteer at school, sleep a few hours, be up when the kids came home for the day, cook and then leave for work. It was often said of Ellen's cooking that she could even make rocks taste good. Danny, after a long day of work, always made time to go over dribbling, passing and batting. He coached little league and Ellen had dinners for the teams. Little league turned into baseball, soccer, basketball and football. Dominic, a Senior and starting player at Valley High school, has the Shoats athletic flair as well. Danny and Ellen had hearts the size of a mountain. The North Valley was their home and they touched the lives of many families through their dedication to making the community a better place. Always a pair, they worked hard, loved long, laughed loud and raised a beautiful family. Ultimately, together is how they left this earth to experience their next journey. We do know that wherever they are, Ellen will be cooking, planning and organizing; Danny will be building, fishing, joking, coaching and they will always be doing it together. They will be forever missed and loved by their family and friends. Mom and Dad, we love you and thank you, Leah, Russell and Dominic. Daniel Dean Biagi Shoats was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Leali Biagi Shoats and Maria de La Paz Carillo Shoats. He is survived by his children, Leah Maria Shoats, Russell Thomas Shoats, and Dominic Dean Shoats; brother, Rudolph Thomas Shoats and wife, Jamie Rothmeyer; sisters, Soledad (Sally) Hindi and husband, Joseph, Elizabeth Shoats and husband, Roy Wade, and Marlene Shoats Weaks and husband, Dan Weaks. Ellen is survived by her parents, Norm Schippers and Beverly Schippers; children, Leah Maria Shoats, Russell Thomas Shoats, and Dominic Dean Shoats; sister, Angela Ghiassi and husband, Hamid and brother, Burton Schippers and wife, Susan Rehrig. Both are survived by nephews, Joachim Biagi Marjon, Jordan and Brandon Ghiassi, Evan Weaks and Matthew Wade; nieces, Jessie Wade and Isabella de La Paz Weaks; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Services will be held Monday, October 10, 2005, 11:00 a.m., at Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church, 1801 Montano Road NW on Montano. Due to limited parking and seating, please carpool and arrive early. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Shoats' Children's Memorial Fund at Bank of America, 6603 Fourth St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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