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1960-2026
Daniel K. Fordice III
Daniel Kirkwood Fordice, III, age 66, was tragically killed in an airplane accident on May 12, 2026. Dan was doing what he loved most when the accident occurred…flying his vintage P-51 Mustang WWII antique plane. He was an experienced pilot with over 5,000 hours, primarily in WWII and older aircraft. He truly lived his life “full throttle”. Unique in many respects and with many strong attributes, Dan was a recognized leader in the civil and marine construction industry on a regional and national basis.
Dan was born in Baton Rouge, LA on April 20, 1960, to parents Daniel Kirkwood Fordice, Jr, former Governor of the State of Mississippi, and Patricia Louise Owens. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Construction Engineering Technology in 1982. Dan was commissioned as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant and later joined the Mississippi Army National Guard, serving a total of 13 years. He spent half of his military career as an Engineer and the other half in the 2nd 20th Special Forces Unit, attaining the rank of Captain. His military service strengthened the development of his leadership mentality and passion for service that defined much of his life.
Inducted into NAC in 2019, Dan retired in 2023 as Vice President of his family’s fourth generation firm, Fordice Construction Company, a Vicksburg, Mississippi civil construction company, specializing in civil and marine work primarily for the Mississippi Valley, Army Corps of Engineers. He was heavily involved in the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, both at the local and national levels.
He served as AGC National President from 2022-2023, following in the footsteps of his father, Kirk Fordice, as the only second-generation national president of the organization to ever serve. His involvement included chairing the Federal and Heavy Division of AGC. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the AGC Education and Research Foundation, awarding scholarships for those young people interested in entering the construction field.
Dan’s second love beyond construction was our Nation’s veterans and military history, especially those veterans of the “Greatest Generation.” Serving on the National Board of Directors of the Commemorative Air Force, Dan shared his love of history, planes and honoring veterans with an international community. He was honored to fly the lead C-47 Skytrain “That’s All Brother” for the transatlantic route on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Dan’s love of aviation was rooted in his deep reverence and esteem for those who flew to protect our freedoms.
Out of this love and respect, Dan founded two non-profit foundations: the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, an organization dedicated to collecting and preserving the memories of WWII Veterans; and the Warrior Bonfire Program (WBP), an organization dedicated to the healing of Veterans suffering from PTSD and other challenges after leaving the service. Since Dan’s passing, WBP has named an endowment after him giving an opportunity for others to support a program with which he held such a great passion.
In 2021 he received the American Spirit Medallion from the National World War II Museum for his work in preserving the history of World War II and helping wounded veterans through the Warrior Bonfire Program. That love and respect is further demonstrated by Dan’s creation of a war museum in his personal airplane hangar.
Dan had a personality often described as “larger than life.” He never met a stranger and showed genuine interest in everyone he encountered, making each person feel valued and important. A gifted storyteller, enhanced by his deep, boisterous voice, Dan captivated people throughout his construction career, military encounters, and his ministry. Dan was a faithful, active member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council and belonged to the Knights of Columbus.
Dan is survived by his wife Ann Claire Roesch Fordice, and his 3 children, Nathan Fordice (Sara) of St. Francisville, LA, Alaina Fordice of Edgewater, MD, and Erin Fordice of Springdale, AR, as well as numerous grandchildren, brothers and sister, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He will be missed by all who crossed his path!
― Eddie Stewart, Harold Force, and Bob Lanham
Dan was born in Baton Rouge, LA on April 20, 1960, to parents Daniel Kirkwood Fordice, Jr, former Governor of the State of Mississippi, and Patricia Louise Owens. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Construction Engineering Technology in 1982. Dan was commissioned as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant and later joined the Mississippi Army National Guard, serving a total of 13 years. He spent half of his military career as an Engineer and the other half in the 2nd 20th Special Forces Unit, attaining the rank of Captain. His military service strengthened the development of his leadership mentality and passion for service that defined much of his life.
Inducted into NAC in 2019, Dan retired in 2023 as Vice President of his family’s fourth generation firm, Fordice Construction Company, a Vicksburg, Mississippi civil construction company, specializing in civil and marine work primarily for the Mississippi Valley, Army Corps of Engineers. He was heavily involved in the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, both at the local and national levels.
He served as AGC National President from 2022-2023, following in the footsteps of his father, Kirk Fordice, as the only second-generation national president of the organization to ever serve. His involvement included chairing the Federal and Heavy Division of AGC. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the AGC Education and Research Foundation, awarding scholarships for those young people interested in entering the construction field.
Dan’s second love beyond construction was our Nation’s veterans and military history, especially those veterans of the “Greatest Generation.” Serving on the National Board of Directors of the Commemorative Air Force, Dan shared his love of history, planes and honoring veterans with an international community. He was honored to fly the lead C-47 Skytrain “That’s All Brother” for the transatlantic route on the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. Dan’s love of aviation was rooted in his deep reverence and esteem for those who flew to protect our freedoms.
Out of this love and respect, Dan founded two non-profit foundations: the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, an organization dedicated to collecting and preserving the memories of WWII Veterans; and the Warrior Bonfire Program (WBP), an organization dedicated to the healing of Veterans suffering from PTSD and other challenges after leaving the service. Since Dan’s passing, WBP has named an endowment after him giving an opportunity for others to support a program with which he held such a great passion.
In 2021 he received the American Spirit Medallion from the National World War II Museum for his work in preserving the history of World War II and helping wounded veterans through the Warrior Bonfire Program. That love and respect is further demonstrated by Dan’s creation of a war museum in his personal airplane hangar.
Dan had a personality often described as “larger than life.” He never met a stranger and showed genuine interest in everyone he encountered, making each person feel valued and important. A gifted storyteller, enhanced by his deep, boisterous voice, Dan captivated people throughout his construction career, military encounters, and his ministry. Dan was a faithful, active member of St. Paul Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council and belonged to the Knights of Columbus.
Dan is survived by his wife Ann Claire Roesch Fordice, and his 3 children, Nathan Fordice (Sara) of St. Francisville, LA, Alaina Fordice of Edgewater, MD, and Erin Fordice of Springdale, AR, as well as numerous grandchildren, brothers and sister, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He will be missed by all who crossed his path!
― Eddie Stewart, Harold Force, and Bob Lanham
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