Daniel "Danny" Mathis, 71, from Gulf Breeze, Florida, passed away peacefully at his residence on May 12th 2026 surround by family.

He was born on January 28th 1955 at NAS, Pensacola to Robert and Elsie Mathis. He served in the US Army for 3 years as helicopter mechanic. After getting out of the military, he worked for Bell Helicopter in Iran for a few years. He then worked as a crew chief for Lockheed Martin in Saudi Arabia from 1985-1987.He started working at NAS in 1987 as an aircraft mechanic and became an instructor at The Naval Air Technical Center in 1993 until his retirement in 2017. He was a certified commercial pilot and certified Airframe Power Plant mechanic. He achieved numerous awards throughout his career including Sikorsky Aircraft Maintenance award and several awards as an instructor. He inspired his students with various tales to help them learn.

He never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face .He enjoyed fishing with grandchildren, surfing, playing pool, horseshoes, cribbage and dominoes with his many friends. He enjoyed his time in Costa Rica for a few months of the year. He supported the New Orleans Saints and FSU and he loved watching Nascar races. He was a proud member of VFW 4407 and American Legion 382.

He is survived by his wife Annette "the Irish girl" and his children Jason, Melissa, Eileen and Sean and 4 siblings Roberta, David, Shirley and Mary and 5 grandchildren Ashlynn, Gaje ,Kylie, Harper and Easton.(Pops will be missed).

He is preceded in death by his  parents Elsie and Robert Mathis and 2 siblings Margaret and Michael.

His family would like to thank Dr Wright, Dr Carden and their staff at Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center. The staff at 2 West and East Oncology floor and the Emergency Room at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital. The staff with Gentiva Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to American Cancer Society.  

"God Bless You"

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