Richard Lowery Dana

Richard Lowery Dana, 85, was born in Gulfport, MS and passed away Sunday, June 21st on Father's Day following a battle with leukemia and prostate cancer. Mr. Dana was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Wilmer Dana and Mildred Lowery Dana. He is survived by his wife of almost 61 years Colleen Harper Dana; his three children, Richard H. Dana of Pelahatcie, MS, Debra Athas of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Rebecca Dana Fetterolf of Lumberton, MS; their spouses, Sybil Dana, William Athas, and Anthony Fetterolf, respectively; seven grandchildren, Holly Dana Davis, Brian Dana, Joseph Sarros, Rachel Rau, Mark Rau, David Gilmore, and Candice Gilmore; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by nephews Robert Dana, Tommy Dana, Caleb Dana, Charles Dana, and niece Alyce Dana.
Mr. Dana retired from the Veterans Administration and was an Army infantry veteran of WWII, serving in Patton's Third Army in Germany. He was a member of the American Legion. He was a lifelong sportsman. He played baseball as a young man for two professional farm clubs, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. He maintained a love of the game all of his life. Mr. Dana was also an avid quail hunter and golfer, and hunted until last year, in recent times traveling to South Dakota, Kansas, and Lumberton.
Mr. Dana will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Biloxi follwing services at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvior Rd, Biloxi on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 1:30 pm. A short viewing will be held prior to services from 12 Noon to 1:30 pm.