Daniel Aaron Vancil, 74, of LaVergne, TN. Services will be held from 11:15 AM until 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the LaVergne Civic Auditorium.
Dan died on October 17, 2011 at home from natural causes. He was born in Kinkaid Township, Illinois on February 20, 1937 to Murray Andrew “Jeff” Vancil and Kathryn Virginia “Ginny” Wilson-Vancil (Wilson). He served in the United States Navy, from 1957 until he retired in 1977 as an Avionics Technician First Class. A Vietnam Veteran, Dan served at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ; Little Creek Naval Base, VA; Aboard the USS Independence (CV-62)out of Oceana NAS, VA; NAS Jacksonville, FL; Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, Puerto Rico (two tours) ; Aboard the USS CVN Ticonderoga (CV-14) out of NAS Quonset Point, RI, where he was awarded the Navy Flying Medal for more than 50 combat air missions while deployed to Vietnam with VAQ-33; Memphis Naval Training Center, TN; and NAS Norfolk, VA (two tours). Upon his retirement from active service Dan attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, earning an Associates of Applied Science degree in Electronics Technology. He continued to serve his country as a US Navy contractor with McDonnell Douglas Aeronautics Corp. and was affectionately known as “Mr. Harpoon” in locations throughout the world, finally retiring from Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA in 2005 after working as a technical engineer on the F-22 Raptor.
Dan was preceded in death by his father, his mother, his brothers; Jack and William “Bill”, and his sister Ruth Weathers, and is survived by his loving family: his wife Marilyn L. Vancil (Baker), of LaVergne, TN; his daughter Patricia L. Parker of Antioch, TN; his son, SFC Daniel A. Vancil II, USA Ret and Laura Camacho-Vancil of Waianae, HI; his two brothers: Glen of Ava, IL and Robert of Phoenix, AZ; two grand daughters: Liberty B. Flowers and Amber B. Parker; two grandsons: 1LT Daniel A. Vancil III USAG and HN Charles E. Vancil, USN; three great-grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Uncle Dan was a wonderful Man, he will be greatly missed, I know he is in Heaven with Mom Dad and Paul, don’t know who is the better talker Uncle Dan or Paul. I love You and will miss you.
ATC1 Dan Vancil was my Electronic Warfare shop boss in VAQ-33, NAS Norfolk, VA. I have fond memories of my time in the squadron under his supervision. We fell out of contact over the years and reunited a couple of years ago. It has been a pleasure to communicate with him about his wonderful life and enjoyment of Naval Aviation. I will miss him, but always remember him fondly.
We will miss all your stories and emails that made my day so many times I remember the times I spent with you and Marlyn in Puerto Rico Sail on Sailor and God Speed
Marilyn,
Toby and I were sad to hear of Dan’s passing. Both of you were such good friends with our parents. If I can do anything for you Marilyn please let me know. Kathi Richarz and Toby Bilyeu
Marilyn,I have always had a great fondness for you and Dan. It was a great tour in Puerto Rico and it was always great to see you guys at the reunions. You have my deepest sympathy. Love to you and your family. Gary and Betty Carroll
Marilyn, Faye and I were shocked to hear of Dan’s sudden death. We all loved Dan and his stories. He could remember thing that most of the rest of us had long for gotten. The VC-8 reunion will never be the same without him. I will also miss all of his e-mails and thoes he passed on from DanII. We know you will miss him and so will we. Hopefully it is comforting to know all of us in the squadron held him in high reguards and respect. Please keep in touch and let us know where we can reach you for the next reunion because you will always be a part of us.
Our prays are with you.. Jim Rueff and Faye
Dan,
I will surely miss our email and phone communications. You will aways be remembered in my heart. I wish only the best for your family, I know you will be watching over them.
Your friend,
Lester
My heart goes out to you and the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mom and Dad always loved Danny and will be greatly missed.
Hugs and kisses Marina
Will miss you Dan. You were one of my more interesting students!
To all of Dan’s family, I am sorry for your lost. Dan was a great friend, we were stationed together two times, flying as AT’s, doing those avionic things. In the last few years, I saw Dan and Marilyn at the VC-8 “REDTAILS” reunions, Dan always enjoyed himself seeing old friends and had a great time. I will always remember his smile. Take care. Charlie
Dan will miss your emails and telephone calls. You were one of the cousins which knew the history of the family. My deepest sympathy goes to Marilyn, Patti, and Daniel.
Dear Marilyn, Dan and Laura,
Our friendship and affection for you all developed quickly when you were with us at the B&B. It was so special that you (Marilyn and Dan) stopped by late this summer. We are thankful for knowing Dan…a truly caring man, and are deeply saddened by his sudden death. Our hearts go out to you and our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
We were so saddened and shocked to hear of Dan’s sudden passing. We have fond memories of our wonderful evening in Hawaii last December and of course all the times Dan made it to reunions of one kind or another in Greenwood. We will also miss his many emails and news updates on the military. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marilyn, Dan, Patti and their families at this most difficult time. He will be missed by all those who knew him. Please keep in touch.
Dan will miss your emails and telephone calls.
You where a good Friend,Brother and Shipmate.
I know that your Family , Friends and I will miss you always.
Dear Friend Dan,
I will surely miss you,always be remembered as my good friend.
We,both,Mary and I wish the best for the family.
For so many years we know each other,but,someday we come together again.
Claus Mary Vermeulen.
The Netherlands
sorry about your loss. Dan was a great cousin and friend will miss his emails and phone calls.
To Dan’s family, Litza and I are sorry for your loss. We will miss seeing him at the Redtail’s reunions. We send our prayers and best wishes.
Steve and Litza Tedesco
Dan you were a great friend for 48 years and I will miss you.
It was an honor and privilage to have served and been aquainted with Dan. We had been in contact over the past years via internet exchanging email, photos, jokes, etc. Though he has passing, he will never be forgotten.
I just came across Dan’s name as I was editing my Lockheed Martin work contacts and became curious about where he might be these days. It was through the web that I learned of Dan’s death nearly seven years ago. To his loved ones, please accept my condolences after all these years. I hope for all of you who survive Dan that the difficulty of his loss has eased over time.
I worked with Dan on US Navy programs while at Lockheed Martin in Marietta through a portion of the 1990s. I saw a comment below about Dan’s storytelling, especially about his military days – something I also remember about him. Funny thing, I also remember that Dan had the coolest coffee mug with a USN logo. He knew I liked it and so got one for me, too.
May our Father in heaven rest Dan’s soul and sustain comfort and hope in those he left behind.