Antwan Daniels

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He believed some of the best memories came from simply being together, laughing, playing, and making ordinary days feel special.

Antwan Daniels, 40, born on September 23, 1985, in Los Angeles, CA, United States, passed away June 03, 2026. He resided in Chino, CA at the time of his passing.

On September 23, 1985, Antwan Sylvester Daniels was born to the late Lorenzo Daniels and Antoinette Simons at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California. From the very beginning, it was clear that Antwan would approach life with curiosity, confidence, and joy. One early story his family wanted to share when he was just seven months old. While his mother Antionette was feeding him baby food, Antwan became much more interested in the fried chicken his father was eating. Determined to have what Dad was having, he reached for it. Despite his mother’s protests that he was too young, his father let him have a taste. From that day forward, Antwan had discovered “real food,” and anyone who knew him knew he never played about his food again. That determination never left him. As a child, he filled every room with laughter, imagination, and energy. He marched instead of walked, explored everything around him, and lived with the kind of curiosity that made every day feel like an adventure. In middle school, his confidence showed when he stood in front of his classmates and sang a Mariah Carey song for the school talent show. Around that same time, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, beginning a relationship with God that would guide him for the rest of his life.

At Pomona High School, Antwan found success both in the classroom and on the basketball court. He earned numerous academic awards, became Team MVP and Varsity Team Captain, and enjoyed the challenge of chess just as much as competition on the court. He could dunk with ease, but what people remembered most wasn’t how well he played—it was how he treated people. Antwan had a natural ability to make others feel comfortable. He made friends wherever he went, encouraged people without being asked, and carried himself with a kindness that made everyone feel welcome.

He didn’t need to be the loudest person in the room to make an impression. His smile, his patience, and the respect he showed others spoke for him.

After high school, Antwan built a career the same way he approached life, with hard work, purpose, and a genuine desire to help others. He began at Smart & Final before moving into positions with Safe Data Corp, KDAY 93.5, and Southern California’s NPR and PBS affiliates, where he served as Director of Underwriting. Along the way he also launched Verofama and Public Media Smart, combining his creativity with his entrepreneurial drive. Later, he joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Pasadena, where he served as First Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, and Senior Portfolio Advisor. There he advised entrepreneurs, executives, entertainers, families, and foundations, helping them plan for the future with confidence. His work earned him respected industry designations, including Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). Yet the people who knew him professionally often spoke less about his accomplishments and more about the way he treated people. He listened carefully, led with integrity, and built trust one relationship at a time.

One of the greatest chapters of Antwan’s life began in September 2007 at the Los Angeles County Fair. Antwan was there prospecting for advertising clients when he met Kisha, a sales executive who just happened to be working an exhibition those few weeks. What started as a conversation about business quickly turned into something much more They exchanged numbers, conversations became a daily norm, and only a few weeks later Antwan confidently told her, “I’m going to marry you one day.” Anyone who knew him knows that once he made up his mind, he committed wholeheartedly. In 2013, those words became reality when they were married.

Together they built a life grounded in friendship, trust, laughter, and love. Through every season, they stood beside one another, creating a home where everyone knew they belonged.

More than anything else, Antwan loved being a husband and a father of six – Kaylee, Ayden, Isabella, Emilie, Eliana, and Luke were everything in his world. He loved planning family trips, catching Lakers and Dodgers games, traveling together, and filling the house with music. Karaoke nights were a favorite, and it wasn’t unusual to find everyone singing at the top of their lungs together. He believed some of the best memories came from simply being together, laughing, playing, and making ordinary days feel special. Even quiet evenings at home became memories worth holding onto—ordering Uber Eats after the kids were asleep, watching movies with Kisha, or enjoying the life they had built together. He loved his Dunkin’ coffee the same way every time: six creams and six sugars. One of his favorite traditions with the kids was teaching them blackjack not for gambling, but as a way to practice math, think strategically, laugh together, and spend time with one another.

Antwan also had a way of making celebrations less about himself and more about the people he loved. Birthdays and Father’s Day often became opportunities for him to show appreciation to everyone else instead of expecting attention in return. That was simply who he was. Though naturally he was appreciative of gestures, he found joy in seeing the people around him smile. If you knew Antwan, chances are you can picture him with music playing somewhere nearby, laughing with his family, encouraging someone who needed it, or making sure everyone else was having a good time. Those everyday moments say as much about his life as any title or accomplishment ever could.

His faith shaped the way he lived. One phrase those closest to him heard often was, “God walks with me through every door.” Whether he was stepping into a new opportunity or facing uncertainty, he believed he was never walking alone. He also believed that the words we speak matter. He would often remind people, “You’re only as good as what you tell yourself. If you tell yourself it’s not going to work out, then it won’t. But if you speak life, you’ll always have what you want.” Those weren’t simply encouraging words—they were the way he chose to live. He faced challenges with hope, encouraged people when they doubted themselves, and quietly reminded others that there was always a reason to keep moving forward.

Today we celebrate a man whose life was defined by faith, family, generosity, and love. We celebrate the little boy who insisted on eating fried chicken before he could barely walk, the student who worked hard, the athlete who led by example, the businessman who earned people’s trust, the husband who knew exactly who he wanted to spend his life with, and the father who found his greatest happiness at home with his family. Antwan measured success differently than most. It wasn’t about titles, awards, or recognition. It was about showing up for the people he loved, making time for them, encouraging them, and building a life filled with memories that will continue to be shared for generations. Though we will miss his voice, his laughter, his encouragement, and his presence, we carry forward the example he left behind. His story reminds us that a life is measured not by what we collect, but by how deeply we love, how bold our faith is, and how intentionally we care for one another.

Antwan is survived by his wife, Kisha; his sons Ayden and Luke; his daughters Kaylee, Isabella, Emilie, Eliana, His sister Alexia Martinez brothers Lorenza, Demetrius, Dominic, Josh and his mother Antoinette Simons

He is preceded in death by His father

Lorenza Daniels