More detail on this person: Mr. Danny O'Neil McDonald, 69, of Panama City, passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018. Our beloved Dan was born in Philadelphia, MS on July 29, 1948 to Lester and Ruth McDonald. Mr. McDonald was a Captain in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1972 where he flew helicopters in the Vietnam War. He later joined the U.S. Navy to fly jets and later returned to his love of flying helicopters for his remaining years of service in the U.S Navy. Mr. McDonald retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1989. After his retirement from the Navy, he had the privilege to continue his love of flying in EMS helicopters for the next 30 years, most of which was with Air Methods/Air Heart in Marianna, FL. Dan McDonald believed in the teachings of Jesus Christ and felt blessed with all that he had in his life from flying, long walks with his dogs, adventures on the water with his friends and family, or a simple breakfast with his children; he found joy and walked with the Lord in his heart. Mr. McDonald is survived by his wife, Jan McDonald, children Danny Kyle and Michele McDonald and Sean Martin and Shelle McDonald, mother, Ruth Johnson; step-mother, JoAnn McDonald; brothers, Steve and Gregg McDonald; grandchildren: Daniel Johnston, Christopher and Cassandra McDonald and Merik Martin McDonald; sister and brother in law: Linda and Grant Peel and their children Lisa and Scott Flitcraft, Jana and James Stuttard, Krista Garrett, extending to their children, Cody, Kate, Jessica, Logan, Joshua, Emily and Dillon; and loving extended family, to include David Lee-Morrison, Troy Alan Weaver, Alaina Pruess and Martha and Bryan Pruess and a special longstanding friendship to Walker and Ellie Parrish. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at Southerland Family Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks anyone lead to please make a donation to a local church or an animal rescue group of your choice, in memory of Dan McDonald.
This information was last updated 06/18/2018
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association