Daniel Steve Mathys

Dan was born Dec. 30, 1947 in Chicago to George and Judy Mathys. He attended St. Willibrord High School, graduating in 1965. He learned to play bass guitar and was in a band, the Chapparels, in his senior year and for the year after graduation. Enlisting in the Air Force in October of 1966, Dan entered active duty on December 26th. He served four years on active duty as an aircraft mechanic. His first jet was the B-58 and then a tour in Thailand, returning to serve as a technical instructor at Chanute AFB, Il. He was discharged early to attend school and earn his A&P license in Colorado where he met his future wife, Pam. They were married August 7,1971 and moved back to Chicago when he began work at Eastern Airlines. They moved again to Fort Worth in June of ‘72 to work at the 301st TFW, Carswell AFB as an Air Reserve Technician in the Air Force Reserve. Dan worked there until 1979, all the while attending night school and graduated in 1979 from UTA, which he could not have done without the support of his best friend and wife, Pam. He was transferred to Oklahoma City working for Defense Contract Management Command in quality assurance until 1981. They moved again to Camden, AR when he was promoted, and he also received a direct commission in the Air Force Reserve as a maintenance officer. In December 1985 they returned to the DFW area after his father was seriously injured. Dan then worked for the Navy and Air Force at the LTV plant in Dallas. Ultimately, he retired in 1996 from the Air Force Reserve as a Major and he retired early from federal civil service in 1998. After leaving federal service, he worked for TTI and American Eurocopter until he really retired at age 62. Needing something to do he joined the North Texas Patriot Guard Riders in January 2010 until now. He was a life member of the VFW, a member of the Fort Worth Airpower Council, and the St. Vincent de Paul Men’s Club. Dan volunteered with the Ulster Project and became their second president from 1997-98 and chaired the 1999 25th anniversary conference, ultimately volunteering for about 18 years. Dan also spent many years with BSA Troop 445 as a Committee Member and Advancement Chairman where he guided many boys to the rank of Eagle, including his son Terry, who was ‘tapped out’ for the Order of the Arrow. The boys, Terry and Lee, went canoeing in Canada and hiked Philmont.

Dan is survived by his wife Pam, sons Terry, wife Jenny, and Lee of whom he is very proud. The six grand children were very special to him, Caitlyn, Makenzie, Noah, Hailey, Brianna, and Lannie; sister Georgeen and husband Frank Ibarra and niece Alana.

In lieu of flowers, Dan's family requests that donations be made to Wreaths Across America www.WreathsAcrossDFW.com and http://www.foldsofhonor.org.