Daniel H. Center Jr.

Daniel Hayden Center, Jr., died Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Westminster Oaks, Tallahassee. His body gave out due to complications from Amyloidosis. He was 86 years old and is survived by his bride of 44 years, Barbara Ann Willis Center, and his two children – daughter Brendan and son Tim (Amy) and his granddaughter and namesake, Hayden. Dan had a big heart and always had a joke to tell. He was a bright light in the lives of many and liked to make people feel good. He had a soft spot for babies and children. He was greatly loved and cherished – especially by his family including siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws whom he loved greatly. Dan was born in Campton, Kentucky, August 5, 1930. His family moved to Berea, KY after his father lost his job in the oilfields during the Great Depression. He was the fourth child, the first son of Daniel Hayden Center and Ruth Tutt Center. Their five children include Bernice Robertson, Vivian Landis, Mabel Boehm, and Luther Center. Dan graduated high school early and entered Berea College. He spent a year in the Air Force. He returned to civilian life working for the CIA in Washington, D.C., where he met his first wife, Nancy Henderson Center. After a season in Colorado working at his sister's dude ranch, he returned to the CIA. He then enrolled in The Ohio State University where he got his Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering. After Ohio State, Dan joined the GTE Corporation serving in various positions at GTE Florida, GTE California and General Telephone Data Services (GTEDS) including Director of Timeshare Services and Vice President of Field Operations. After retirement, he spent time helping to develop real estate in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina. While in Tampa, he met and married Barbara. Together they were founding members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers season ticket program. They were active with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church where Dan served as Senior Warden. He was a charter member of ushers at The Center for Performing Arts where he volunteered for twenty years. Dan had an incredible life. At various times, he had his pilot’s license, a realtor’s license and was skilled with do-it-yourself projects being handy as a zipper. He enjoyed traveling, hiking and the outdoors. They attended many Wildflower Pilgrimages and Wilderness Weeks. It was his desire to see as many of the 59 U.S. National Parks as possible – visiting nearly 40 parks in twenty-one states. He even visited national parks in Nepal, New Zealand and Australia. They moved to Tallahassee in 2007 to be near their granddaughter. In Tallahassee, Dan served time in the Kairos Prison Ministry as he had in Tampa. He and Barbara attended St. Peter's Anglican Church. He was a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald family room. The two also continued participating in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). And, they doted on and enjoyed spending time with Hayden picking her up from school and attending her horse shows. There will be a funeral service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Tallahassee on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints. Psalm 116:15 Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Daniel H. Center Jr.

August 5, 1930 - May 24, 2017