Dana E Binford

On April 8th 2016, Dana Everett Binford, passed from this world. Born July 16, 1937 Dana was the oldest of three children born to Leota and Baker Binford. Dana was born in Charleston, WV. He graduated High School in in Bluefield, WV and attended a few semesters at the University of West Virginia.

Having an adventuristic spirit, Dana postponed his college education and joined the Coast Guard. He was stationed in San Francisco and Alaska during his term in the guard. On his travels in the Guard, he developed his love for photography, a passion he kept up with all his life.

After his stint in the guard he moved to South Dakota where he met the young girl who would become his wife Gail McFarland. They both moved to central Ohio where they started their family and had four children. He worked hard to support his family, often working two jobs and picking up spare weekend construction jobs. He took night classes and earned his Bachelors in Business Administration at Franklin University in Columbus, OH.

In the early 80’s, he and a coworker set out to start a highway construction company, Javelina Construction, Inc. They set up shop in New Braunfels, Texas. Fulfilling a promise he made to his young bride that they would return to her home state of Texas. Javelina was in business for thirty years until it had to close its doors in the last recession. There isn’t a major highway in Texas that hasn’t been worked on at one part or another by the company he helped found.

Dana was a voracious reader, loved history and travel. When they were young, Gail and Dana traveled with their children all over the United States. They taught them about the history of every place they visited. When they were older, they loved traveling to Mexico. When Gail passed on in 2005, Dana continued to travel including a long trip to Italy, Spain and southern France. After each adventure, he would return home with literally thousands of pictures to share and stories about the cultures or historical knowledge of the places he visited. He was just a week away from heading back to Barcelona before he died.

Dana was a stranger to no one and a friend to all. He treated his friends like family and his family were also his friends. Never seeking to be the center of attention, people tended to center around him to listen to his stories or seek his advice. He never set out in his life’s journey to touch people’s hearts, but by how he lived his life, he did. He was strong, patient, and had a sharp wit. He kept his promises and was honest. He was a great brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. Dana Binford was a good man. He will be missed but never forgotten by those who knew him.

Dana was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 43 years. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Allred and her husband Bill and his brother Douglas Binford and wife Randall. His son Jefferson Binford and wife Sonya, daughters Jana Saffell and husband Randy, Jenifer Binford Hanson, Juliette White and her husband Anthony. His grandchildren Morgan Haynes and husband Michael, Collin Cox, Hannah Cox, Ethan Hanson, Dana Hanson, Ian White, Mia White, Chrysten Saffell, Justin Saffell, Jeremy Saffell and Hannah Ferrelli. Three Great Grand Children Greyson Haynes, Henry Haynes, Robert Haynes and numerous nieces and nephews.

Per our father’s wishes, no formal service or viewing will be held. Friends and family will gather together on April 30 to celebrate his life.

The family ask the you support the American Heart Association. A memorial fund has been set up in his name. Donations can be mailed to:

The Dana Binford Memorial Fund

C/O The American Heart Association

Attn: Jenifer Binford Hanson

8415 Wurzbach Rd

San Antonio, TX 78229

Arrangements under the direction of Zoeller Funeral Home, New Braunfels, TX.