Dana Mark Heald, age 62 of Jacksonville, died at his home after an illness. At his side was his best friend, Sammy, a Labrador Retriever. Dan is survived by his father, Robert F. Heald (and stepmother Betty), and two brothers, Steve and David. Dan loved and missed his mother, Charlotte St. Clair Heald, who died April 13, 2000.
He will be greatly missed by his family: His brother Steve and his wife Dana and children Jennifer and husband Stacey and their children, Katelyn and Zach; and Scott (wife Cathy and children Josh and Dylan); His brother David and wife Susan and children, Brian (wife Joy and children Maddie and Katie), Ashlie, and Kristin.
Dan lived in Jacksonville and was Duval County Volunteer of the year in 2006. He generously donated time and money to hospice and church organizations among other charitable organizations. Most recent places of employment were Andrews Filters and Suncoast Electric where he had many friends.
He followed the Jaguars closely and loved his many dogs over the years as well as bicycle and motorcycle riding. Dan was born in Huntington, WV on February 9, 1950. He graduated from Troy State University in Troy, AL. We all shall love and miss Dan immensely.
Published in The Birmingham News from July 5 to July 6, 2012
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October 01, 2012
Dan was a good friend an co-worker. He is missed by those who knew him well.
He loved his dogs as if they were his children because for all intents and purposes they were. In fact those dogs brought Dan about as much happiness and as much aggravation as raising children ever brought me.
Dan had two baby grand pianos in his house but the only one he could play reliably was the one that played itself. That did not stop him from enjoying the beauty of the instruments and he would routinely try to bang out some notes just to prove he was trying.
Lastly, the one thing that folks should know about Dan is that he loved cars as much as he loved his dogs. In the short time that I knew Dan I helped him list many of his beloved vehicles on Craigslist because he had become bored with them. His dream (in the late 2000's) was to eventually own a Cadillac XLR. He never quite made it to that goal but he owned (and later sold) a plethora of different styles and types along the way. The vehicles, like the dogs, brought him great joy. He was happiest when on the market for a new car or another dog.
May he rest in peace.
He loved his dogs as if they were his children because for all intents and purposes they were. In fact those dogs brought Dan about as much happiness and as much aggravation as raising children ever brought me.
Dan had two baby grand pianos in his house but the only one he could play reliably was the one that played itself. That did not stop him from enjoying the beauty of the instruments and he would routinely try to bang out some notes just to prove he was trying.
Lastly, the one thing that folks should know about Dan is that he loved cars as much as he loved his dogs. In the short time that I knew Dan I helped him list many of his beloved vehicles on Craigslist because he had become bored with them. His dream (in the late 2000's) was to eventually own a Cadillac XLR. He never quite made it to that goal but he owned (and later sold) a plethora of different styles and types along the way. The vehicles, like the dogs, brought him great joy. He was happiest when on the market for a new car or another dog.
May he rest in peace.