Remembering Dan Fordice

There are some people in aviation whose presence becomes larger than the airplanes themselves. Dan Fordice was one of those people.

To many across Mississippi and the aviation community, Dan was more than the founder of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation. He was a storyteller, a mentor, a visionary, and a friend whose passion for aviation and people could be felt the moment you met him.

Dan had a unique ability to bring history to life. Through the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, he dedicated much of his life to preserving historic aircraft, honoring veterans, and ensuring future generations could experience the sights, sounds, and stories of America’s military aviation heritage firsthand.

But what made Dan truly special was not simply the airplanes he restored or the events he hosted—it was the way he made people feel.

He welcomed people into the aviation community with enthusiasm and authenticity. Whether you were a lifelong pilot, a veteran, a young child seeing a warbird for the first time, or someone simply walking through a hangar door out of curiosity, Dan made you feel like you belonged.

Many members of the Mississippi Wing of the Commemorative Air Force had the privilege of knowing Dan personally and witnessing firsthand the energy and heart he poured into everything he did. His love for aviation was contagious, and his commitment to preserving history inspired countless others to become involved themselves.

Friends described him as someone who truly embraced life and never wasted a moment.

“He lived life to the fullest like no one I have ever known, and he didn’t waste a second of his life,” longtime friend and fellow pilot Eric Hollingsworth shared.

That spirit could be seen in everything Dan touched. He believed deeply in living with purpose, moving forward, and making memories while there was still time to make them.

One of his favorite sayings reflected exactly who he was:

“Come on now, let’s get going. We’re burning daylight. Nobody’s making any more time.”

Those words now carry even greater meaning.

Dan leaves behind an incredible legacy—not only through the Southern Heritage Air Foundation and the aircraft he helped preserve, but through the lives he impacted along the way. His work helped connect generations, honor veterans, inspire future aviators, and strengthen Mississippi’s aviation community in ways that will continue for years to come.

While his loss is deeply felt, the memories he created and the passion he shared will continue to live on every time a historic aircraft takes flight, every time a veteran’s story is told, and every time a young person discovers a love for aviation because of the foundation he built.

The Mississippi Wing of the Commemorative Air Force extends its heartfelt condolences to the Fordice family, the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, and all who knew and loved Dan.

He will be greatly missed, fondly remembered, and forever appreciated for the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

Get Involved

Organizations like the Southern Heritage Air Foundation and the Mississippi Wing of the Commemorative Air Force continue the important mission of preserving aviation history and honoring those who served.

To learn more about becoming involved with the Mississippi Wing, email mississippicaf@gmail.com.