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In Memory Of Our Poets

J. Dan Brock (1916-2005) - Class Of 1934

J. Dan Brock


1916 - 2005
Mr. J. Dan Brock, formerly of Miami, Florida and presently of Winston-Salem, NC, died peacefully at the Brookridge Retirement Home, on Sunday morning, May 29, 2005. He was 89 years old and was a well recognized leader in the airline industry.

Mr. Brock was born on a farm outside of Montgomery, Alabama on February 19, 1916. He graduated from Lanier High School in Montgomery and continued his studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 1938 he joined Eastern Airlines serving in various traffic and sales responsibilities in Montgomery and then Atlanta. In 1941, he joined Pan American Airways and was sent to Bermuda. After the war broke out, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a Captain in the Air Transport Command with assignments in the US and European Theatres. After World War II ended, he returned home joining Waterman Airlines whose aviation assets were subsequently transferred to TACA International Airlines. At TACA, he was assigned to numerous Central American posts.

It was in the Republic of Panama where he met his wife, Alice Jones, a draftsman for the United States Army. After marrying on January 8, 1948 they lived in Panama and El Salvador before TACA moved them to its new headquarters in New Orleans, Louisiana. He served as Vice President of Traffic and Sales at TACA and later joined L. B. Maytag at Frontier Airlines serving in the same capacity.

In 1962, Mr. Maytag purchased controlling interest in National Airlines and asked Mr. Brock to join him in Miami. He served National Airlines as the Senior Vice President of Marketing and as a member of its board of directors for nearly 18 years until his retirement in 1981. He retired just as National Airlines was purchased by Pan American Airways.

While at National Airlines he was very active in promoting Florida and its growing tourism interests. He was responsible for numerous business initiatives that were considered well ahead of their time. These included "No Frills" fares, innovative advertising campaigns such as the "Fly Me" and "Is This Anyway to Run an Airline? You Bet It Is!” He brought fashion designer Oleg Cassini to National Airlines to redesign flight attendant uniforms and presided over two branding changes with the Sun King motif being the most famous.

Mr. Brock’s business vision and international aspirations resulted in the introduction of Miami's first transatlantic service to London offered by an American airline. This was much to the chagrin of airlines such as Pan Am. He oversaw the continuing growth of National Airlines international service before his retirement in 1980.

During his 43 year airline career, Mr. Brock was well known in the commercial aviation industry serving as president of the Air Traffic Conference of America, as a board member of the Discover America association, and as a member of numerous international committees for the International Air Transport Association.

Mr. Brock’s community spirit was reflected in his role as president of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and as a board member of the Deaf Services Bureau of Miami. He served as a member of the board of governors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, as vice chairman of the Florida Tourism Commission and as an Honorary Consul to the country of Guatemala. Mr. Brock was a former member of the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, Florida and the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club of Miami before his health forced him to relocate to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2000.

Mr. Brock is survived by a loving and close knit family including his wife of 57 years, Alice Jones Brock, of Winston-Salem, NC.

Mr. Brock is also survived by:
A son J. Daniel Brock, Jr. and his wife Margaret F. Brock, MD of Winston-Salem
A daughter Timi Brock Most and her husband Dr. Robert B. Most, of Menlo Park, CA
A son F. Laurens (Larry) Brock and his wife Megan O'Malley Brock, of Signal Mountain, TN
Ten Grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mr. Brock’s mother, Rebecca Lamar Brock, his father, Alexander Franklin Brock and six brothers and sisters predeceased him.

A memorial service was held at 10:00am on Saturday June 4, 2005 at:
Maple Springs United Methodist Church
2569 Reynolda Road
Winston-Salem NC

Graveside services were held at 2:00pm Sunday, June 5, 2005 at Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama. The family will received visitors after each service.

Voglers - Reynolda of Winston-Salem handled the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice or to:
Serenity House
1300 Peachtree Parkway
Cumming, Georgia 30041