"Dan and I went through the Los Banos Schools together! Not only was he a very good athlete and student. I know that Dan learned his shooting skills by shooting Teal Ducks and Pheasants in early morning hunts! I enjoyed seeing him around town and having a quick laugh together. I will miss him. My wife and I send our condolences to his wife and children!"
In loving memory of
DANIEL BONILLAS
February 7, 1947 - October 17, 2025
Obituary for Daniel Bonillas
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel Bonillas, a beloved figure and legend in Los Banos. Dan was born on February 7, 1947, to George and Minnie Bonillas, and was one of four brothers. He is survived by his brother, David, who resides in Oakhurst, CA, while his other two brothers, Ronald and Donald, preceded him in death.
Dan was married to his cherished wife, Karen, for 44 years. Together, they welcomed a son, Michael (Amy), and he had a bonus son, Matthew (Becky). He took immense pride in his six grandchildren: Luka, Jalen, Madelyn, Alex, Hailey, and Elin. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Dan treasured family time and served as a second father to many young people in the Los Banos community. He was deeply proud of his hometown.
A standout athlete at Los Banos High School, Dan went on to play quarterback at Taft College, where he contributed to two junior college national championships. Following Taft, he earned a scholarship to play quarterback at San Jose State University and subsequently worked as a probation officer for five years. Encouraged by fellow shooters from Los Banos, he joined the trap shooting league, marking the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Dan started his trap shooting career at the age of 20 in 1967. His talent quickly became evident, earning him a place on the All-America team just five years later. Over an impressive span of 22 consecutive years, he maintained his All-American status, captaining teams in 1967, 1980, and 1983, while co-captaining in 1975, 1978, 1979, and 1981.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dan set numerous records, including running 1,600 singles in 1975, a mark that stood until 1988. He achieved an impressive 27-yard run of 275 that same year and established a doubles string of 361 in 1979. Notably, in 1992, he became the only individual to break 500 straight doubles in a race of that length.
Dan's accolades include 56 Grand American trophies, four Spring Grand titles, 30 Golden West Grand crowns, 13 Western Division (Zone) championships, and 21 California state championships. He set remarkable records in the Grand American High-Over-All and All-Around categories, leading averages 19 times and qualifying for 18 consecutive Trap & Field All-Around Average Awards.
In the early 1970s, Dan met gun manufacturer Daniele Perazzi, who was so impressed with Dan's shooting that he invited him to Brescia, Italy, to assist in the design of a trap gun. Shooting the Perazzi MX8, Dan achieved countless milestones. His first Grand American trophies came in 1972, marking the beginning of a legacy filled with perfect scores and championships across various events. His dedication to the sport was unparalleled, topping the yearly doubles averages 13 times and being inducted into the California Trapshooting Hall of Fame in 1990.
Outside of trap shooting, Dan was a devoted baseball coach, helping to nurture many young boys in Los Banos into responsible men, always offering sage advice and unwavering support.
Dan's memorial service, burial, and celebration of life will take place on Saturday, November 8, starting at 10 AM. The memorial service will be held at the Los Banos United Methodist Church, located at 1031 Iowa Ave, Los Banos, CA. Burial will follow at the Los Banos Cemetery, located at 16575 Center Ave, Los Banos, CA. The celebration of life will be at the Los Banos Sportsmen's Association, located at 13989 Mercey Springs Rd, Los Banos, CA.
In this time of mourning, we remember Dan's incredible contributions to the community and the sport he loved. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him