Matthew Lee Danison

This obituary was lovingly prepared by his family.

Matt Danison, age 60, of Covington passed away November 19, 2024.  He was born in Dunedin, Florida on February 13, 1964 and loved the fact that he was a “Native Florida Cracker”.  At an early age Matt moved to Clayton County Georgia with his mother and siblings.  During his life Matt was an accomplished athlete and excelled at cross-country and track.  He won first place in the county-wide 440 relay race and became a Letterman. In 1982 Matt earned his Eagle Scout Award and graduated from Forest Park Senior High School. A few years after high school he became a Deputy Sheriff in Clayton County and worked from 1986 to 1996 protecting his fellow citizens and neighbors.   

A firm believer in “Your focus is your future” led him to go to college so he could become a federal peace officer.  He graduated from Clayton State College and University in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.  He was then hired as a U.S. Immigration Enforcement Agent in Orlando, FL. He completed his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of Central Florida in 2000. After the terrible events of September 11, 2001, Matt volunteered for the Federal Air Marshal Service.  He went to many European countries on a monthly basis.  He also protected commercial aircraft flying to and from the Far East. He served the public for 35 years, retiring from the Federal Air Marshal Service in 2017.  During his time with the Federal Air Marshal Service Matt flew over 1.5 million miles. However, after retirement, cancer did what the bad guys couldn’t.

Matt was preceded in death by his brother Mark Andrew Danison; father Charles Otto Danison, and his grandparents George Dewey Danison and Lola Avis Bolin (West).  He is survived by his beloved wife Kay Elinor McColl Danison; his mother Sara Karene Bamburg Danison; his sister Lola Dee Rothbauer; sister-in-law Mary Margaret Danison; his beloved niece Sarah Minna Boyd (David), Ali Klein (Jakob); nephew Luke Danison; great nieces Arizona and Charlotte; great nephew John along with other family members and friends.

Kay won his heart and they were united in marriage on April 15, 2023, having passed the milestone of twenty-five years together. Matt and Kay were American War for Independence reenactors with the East Florida Rangers based in St. Augustine with the Florida Historic Militia, Inc.  Matt and Kay participated in many Seminole Indian War reenactments as well.  Matt and Kay enjoyed teaching school kids about Florida’s history.  Matt was a member of the sons of the American Revolution and the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.  Matt and Kay also enjoyed launching model rockets with their local club and giving model rocket kits to school children to promote STEM.

As a lifelong member of the National Eagle Scout Association, memorial contributions can be made to help girls and boys learn outdoor skills in memory of Matthew to Scouting America at https://donations.scouting.org or to the local donation site. Matthew requested his ashes be released into the Gulf of Mexico (a pirate’s funeral) where he spent endless hour of enjoyment during his childhood with his family at Fort DeSoto Park. The best celebration of life would be a frosty beverage held high in a farewell toast: “To Matt. Huzzah!”

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 o’clock, Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Bert Adams Boy Scout Camp located at 218 Scout Road, Covington, GA 30016 in the Ashley Headers Training Center. A reception will follow the service at the training center.

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