Daniel Henry Sears

Sears Daniel Henry Sears, 83, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2013, at his home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Dan was born in rural Cherokee County, KS on July 29, 1930. Dan's dad was a mechanic on heavy construction equipment and settled in Crestline, KS to open a full-service garage and gas station. It was helping and working with his dad that Dan obtained his love and ability for fixing things, whether it was cars, trucks, motorcycles, electrical or carpentry. Dan was a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. During his twenty year career he served in Vietnam, Philippines, Baffin Island, Labrador and across the United States. Dan retired from his second career at Sprint/Centel. He enjoyed working with Habitat for Humanity and helping other Gulf Coast communities recover from hurricane damage. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he played on the church softball team and was a member of the United Methodist Men's Group, Emmaus Community, Trinity's bowling team, and Missions Team. Dan was always willing to help a friend or neighbor. He worked throughout his life to make the world a better place and he will always be remember with a hammer in his hand ready to work and bring a smile to someone in need. Dan was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Phyllis Cobb, Shirley Purdy and Charles Sears. Dan is survived by his wife, Sandi Sears; and siblings, Maurice Sears, Sue Mishler, and Johnna Dodson. Dan is survived by his three sons and daughter, Lanny Sears and wife, Jenny, Larry Sears and wife, Lori, Dennis Sears and wife, Lindsay and Samantha Kinard and husband, Jonathan; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to The Emerald Coast Hospice (http://emeraldcoasthospice.org/) and Trinity United Methodist Mission Team (http://www.trinityfwb.org/index.aspx). Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com