George Dance

UntitledGEORGE PIERCE DANCE
1916-2007

George Pierce Dance of Pensacola, Florida, died in comfort on August 5, 2007. He was 90 years old.
Mr. Dance was born in Atlanta, GA, August 7, 1916. He was a graduate of Atlanta Boy's High School and The University of Georgia, Athens, earning a B.S. Degree in Commerce. In college he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and The Gridiron Honorary Society. After graduation he attended Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration before being called to serve on active duty in World War II. George was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1946, serving in the Pacific and Australian theaters, retiring with the rank of Commander. After working for a time in Atlanta as a stockbroker for Courts & Company (now A.G. Edwards), George joined the Eli Witt Company (later became the Havatampa Corporation), where he served for thirty-one years, retiring as General Manager of its Pensacola Cigar & Tobacco Division. George married Winifred Cannon McGowan in 1951, living first in Gainesville, Florida, and eventually moving to Pensacola in 1957, where he resided and provided for his family for the next fifty years. In addition to his career, Mr. Dance served on the Board of Directors of several organizations in Pensacola: Florida National Bank, Downtown Rotary Club, Pensacola Sports Association, and Pensacola Country Club. George served two terms as mayor of Teddy, Alabama. He was a member of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, and worked as a volunteer for the local United Way and American Amateur Golf Classic.
George was an avid and talented golfer, logging eight holes-in-one during his long recreational career on the links. He was known for regularly shooting his age or better all through his 70's and 80's. He was also an active tennis and bridge player.
For several years during his retirement, George served as an instructor in the Laubach Literacy Program, helping illiterates learn to read. To keep his own mind active, George read over 400 books himself in retirement.
George is survived by his daughter, Catherine Howard Dance Johnson, Pensacola; his three sons, Richard Clay Dance, Phoenix, AZ, Thomas Cooper Dance, Winter Park, FL, and George Frederick Dance, Daphne, AL; and four grandchildren.
George's wife Winifred predeceased him in 2003.
Memorial services will be conducted at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Pensacola, on Thursday, August 09, 2007 at 3:00 P.M. His ashes will be placed next to his wife's at St. Christopher's Memorial Garden.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503. 850.433.0074.