Dan Fordice, Plane Crash, Tallulah Vicksburg, Death Obituary: Community Mourns
The Mississippi community is mourning the tragic death of Dan Fordice, a respected pilot, businessman, veteran advocate, and philanthropist who died Tuesday in a plane crash at Tallulah Vicksburg Regional Airport.
Fordice, a native of Vicksburg and son of former Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice, was piloting a P-51 Mustang warbird when the aircraft crashed shortly after 3 p.m. Emergency responders remained at the scene for several hours as authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash. Additional details about what caused the accident have not yet been publicly released.
Known throughout Mississippi and beyond for his service, leadership, and dedication to veterans, Dan Fordice built a life centered on helping others. He served for 13 years in the U.S. Army and the Mississippi National Guard as an engineer and special forces officer before continuing his family’s legacy in the construction industry. He worked as vice president of Fordice Construction Co. and served as president of Delta Construction, LLC.
Beyond business, Fordice was widely recognized for his passion for aviation and military history. An experienced pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flight time, he served as chairman of the Southern Heritage Air Foundation, an organization based at Tallulah Vicksburg Regional Airport dedicated to preserving historic aircraft and honoring veterans. He frequently flew in air shows across the country and participated in charitable missions, including personally transporting supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina during a 2024 relief effort.
Fordice also devoted much of his life to supporting military veterans after leaving active service. In 2012, he founded the Warrior Bonfire Program, a nonprofit organization that organizes outdoor retreats for veterans coping with the emotional and psychological challenges of military service. The program created spaces where veterans could connect with others who understood their experiences, often ending gatherings with symbolic bonfires honoring fallen comrades.
Those who knew Fordice often described him as deeply compassionate, patriotic, and committed to preserving the stories and sacrifices of military veterans. Through his aviation work, nonprofit leadership, and community service, he touched countless lives and became a respected figure throughout the region.
In a 2025 interview reflecting on his work with veterans, Fordice spoke emotionally about the impact those experiences had on his own life, describing the program as one of the most humbling journeys he had ever undertaken.
Dan Fordice is survived by his wife, Ann Claire, and their children, Nathan, Alaina, and Erin. His passing leaves a profound void among family members, veterans, fellow pilots, and the many communities he served throughout his life.